Deer ticks go by different names in the different regions they are found. Deer ticks are also known as blacklegged ticks, or bear ticks. Blacklegged or deer ticks are found in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, southeast and north central areas of the US. These same ticks are called bear ticks in the mid west.
Deer ticks are concentrated in areas where white-tailed deer are located. The white-tailed deer is the deer tick's preferred host. Deer ticks can usually be found in wooded regions, along trails or paths where the deer travel. This allows them to climb on to a host as it passes by. In suburban areas, trails may be in areas where people or pets hike.
Deer ticks are the carriers of a number of dangerous diseases. Most commonly, they are identified with Lyme disease. This disease is transmitted to humans and also domestic animals, such as livestock, cats and dogs. Lyme disease is a painful condition and difficult to diagnose in both humans and animals. Deer ticks pick up the disease from infected hosts that they feed on in their nymph life phase. Deer ticks can also carry other diseases, such as human anaplasmosis and babesiosis. These diseases are less common, but can be very serious.
Since deer ticks are so small, they are often difficult to find on a host. If you find a tick on yourself, remove it immediately. Adult deer ticks will take up to 4 hours to find a feeding spot on a host, so you may not have received a bite if you find a deer tick on your body. Check the base of the hairline on your neck thoroughly, as that is where deer ticks are usually found.