It is a vector of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This disease is prevalent in the Eastern United States. Lyme disease is carried by deer ticks. This is a serious problem in the eastern states and is becoming established in Ohio. Typical habitats for ticks are weedy areas along trails, roadsides and edges of paths.
Ticks wait on grass for a host to brush against the vegetation.
Once they are on a suitable host, they crawl towards any fleshy area, attach and feed. Because ticks can carry disease, it is important to understand how to remove and handle them properly. Refer to Fact Sheet 2073, Reference Ento.5, for specific information on ticks. They are found in many of the same habitats as ticks. These nuisance mites do not carry diseases in Ohio, but their bites cause annoying itching.