A few weeks ago, I was mowing the lawn with my old, barely-working mower. My golden retriever, Mochi, lounged under the oak tree without a care in the world. That\u2019s when I felt an odd tickle on my ankle. At first, I assumed it was a mosquito. But when I looked down, I saw something far worse\u2014a tiny black dot clinging to my skin.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t moving, and it definitely wasn\u2019t flying away. I carefully removed it. There it was: a lone star tick, unmistakable with its white spot.<\/p>\n
Why Ticks Are No Joke
\nI usually tolerate the annoyances nature throws at me. Mosquito bites? No problem. Bee stings? Painful, but manageable. But ticks? They send me into full-blown panic mode.<\/p>\n
Ticks are more than just gross. They carry serious health risks, and the lone star tick is one of the worst offenders.<\/p>\n
Meet the Lone Star Tick
\nLet\u2019s get familiar with the enemy. The lone star tick is named for the single white spot on the back of the female. That\u2019s about as charming as it gets.<\/p>\n
Unlike some ticks that wait for a host to pass by, this one actively hunts. Yes, it will seek you out\u2014especially in grassy or wooded areas. That makes it even more important to recognize and remove it quickly<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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