I was mowing the lawn on a warm afternoon — the kind where the air hums with cicadas and the sun beats down just enough to make you sweat through your shirt. My old lawnmower sputtered like it might give up at any second, and my golden retriever, Mochi, had wisely opted out, sprawled lazily under our oak tree.
Then it happened.
A strange, persistent itch crept up my ankle — not quite a bite, more like a tiny, crawling tickle. At first, I assumed it was a mosquito. But when I looked down… my stomach dropped.
There it was.
Clamped onto my skin: a small, dark speck with a distinctive white dot in the center — unmistakably a Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum ).
Without thinking, I plucked it off and flicked it away. Only later did I realize how lucky I was — and how much I didn’t know about this dangerous little arachnid.
If you’ve ever spent time outdoors — hiking, gardening, walking the dog — you need to know what to do if you spot one of these ticks. Because while they may be small, Lone Star ticks can carry serious diseases that affect thousands every year.
Let’s dive into what makes them dangerous , what to do if you find one , and how to protect yourself and your family .
Why the Lone Star Tick Is More Than Just a Nuisance
The Lone Star tick gets its name from the single white spot (or “lone star”) on the back of adult females. They’re most common in the southeastern, midwestern, and eastern United States , but their range is expanding due to climate change and wildlife migration.
What makes them especially concerning?
They can transmit several potentially serious illnesses , including:
1. STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness)
