The white-footed mouse is typically the host for the larval and nymph stages of the deer tick. The adult tick prefers the white-tailed deer. The nymph stage is capable of transferring Lyme disease. Lyme disease was a cover story in Newsweek. Lyme disease is now a nationally-recognized problem.
Deer ticks can carry lyme disease.
These ticks belong to the genus Ixodes. The primary species of tick that is a carrier of Lyme disease is Ixodes damini, though other species of Ixodes may also carry Lyme disease. Research suggests that the tick must be attached about 48 hours before the disease is transmitted, so early removal may prevent disease. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium known as a spirochete because of its long, corkscrew shape. The infectious organism is named Borrelia burgdorferi.