Their painless bite would probably go unnoticed. At this early stage, Lyme diseases is easily diagnosed and treated. Later symptoms may include flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, dementia, heart beat abnormalities, and arthritis, just to name a few. So be very careful when walking through the woods this time of year. Try to wear long pants tucked into your socks.
Light colored clothes can make it easier to check for deer ticks.
If you notice that one has attached, pull it off slowly with fine pointed tweezers. Do not squeeze the body and don't rush. It takes two or three days for the attached tick to transmit the bacteria to its host, so take your time and remove the tick properly, applying an antiseptic only after removal. The Freehold Township Health Department has been part of a Federal Center for Disease Control study of Lyme Disease and its transmission since 1990. Many valuable public health publications have resulted from this program.