Ticks feed on the blood of animals, and infected ticks transmit the disease as they feed.
Although the deer tick prefers to feed on wild animals, especially mice and deer, they will also feed on dogs, cats, livestock, and humans. The deer tick is found in the shrubby understory of the forest, in high grassy areas, and in open fields. They then climb upon the animal and insert their mouth parts. They will feed on blood for 3 to 5 days. Following a blood meal, the tick swells to more than four times its normal size and then drops to the ground.