Pictures of Bugs and Their Bite Marks

Black-legged, or deer ticks, can transmit Lyme disease to humans.

Ticks

Many bugs give us reason for pause, including poisonous spiders, chiggers, bees and lice. But few get under our skin – quite literally – like the tick. If you enjoy the outdoors, be careful of ticks — they can attach as you brush past grass and plants. Ticks don't always carry diseases, and

most bites are not serious. But they can carry diseases including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Ticks latch onto skin where they feed on blood.

Tick Bites

Once a tick latches onto skin, it often moves to the warm, moist armpits and groin — feeding on blood and passing on any disease it carries. A tick bite can also trigger an allergic reaction. If you have a tick, it is important to remove it properly. To prevent tick bites, keep your arms, legs, and head covered when outdoors. Use tick repellant with DEET. Check for ticks after spending

time in grassy or wooded areas.

Ticks can cause Lyme disease which may cause a "bull's-eye" rash.

Lyme Disease

In the U.S., the Western black–legged tick and the deer tick can carry Lyme disease bacteria. Infected ticks usually don't spread the disease until they've been attached for at least 36 hours. The first sign of infection is usually a circular skin rash. Early symptoms may also include fever, headache, and fatigue. Untreated Lyme disease may spread to other parts of the body, including the muscles, joints, heart, and nervous system. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated

successfully with antibiotics.

Female black widows have a bright-colored "hourglass" on their underside.

Black Widow Spiders: Poisonous!

Wood piles and tree stumps — that's where poisonous female black widows hide. She is long–legged and glossy black, with a distinctive orange, red, or yellow "hourglass" shape on her

underside. Most spiders are 2 inches wide, but some are smaller.