Inc. Spring is the time for a refresher on preventing Lyme's disease. The deer tick carries a bacterium, specifically Biorrelia burgdorferi, that causes Lyme's disease. Since 1982, more than 100,000 cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Initially noted in the northeastern United States, Lyme's disease spread along and inland from there. Montana is the only state that has not reported a case.
Deer ticks are active from spring until late fall.
Most cases occur from now until August. Peak months are June and July. A deer tick has three developmental stages - the larvae, nymph and adult. Nymphs are most abundant from May through July. They are responsible for 90 percept of Lyme's disease cases.