Ticks scare me: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html

Unfortunately, like with mosquitoes, these horrible beasties like my blood. A lot!!! When I'm out with others, they seem to gravitate to me first. I've had to stop hiking in some of my favorite local places because the tick population has grown so much that totally avoiding them (even by wearing protective clothing and insect repellent) has become close to impossible.

Unfortunately, we sometimes get ticks in our yard, too. Deer (and other wildlife) help spread them.

Recent weather patterns have also helped ticks to multiple throughout our state and to even remain active for most of the year. Tick borne diseases are on the sharp increase in the Heartland. So much so that there is even a new disease specific to the area https://www.cdc.gov/heartland-virus/index.html#:~:text=Heartland%20virus%20is%20believed%20to%20be%20spread%20to,headaches%2C%20fatigue%20%28being%20tired%29%2C%20muscle%20aches%2C%20and%20diarrhea. Lyme Disease is also on a sharp increase locally.