I was mowing the lawn — just another Saturday morning.
My dog, Mochi, lay under the oak tree like he’d earned a vacation.
The sun was out.
The birds were singing.
Then I felt it.
A faint itch on my ankle.
Not quite a bite.
Not quite a bug.
But something… off .
When I looked down, my stomach dropped.
There it was — a small, dark tick latched onto my skin.
And right in the center of its back?
A single white dot.
The unmistakable mark of the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum ).
Without thinking, I plucked it off — but the moment stuck with me.
Because this wasn’t just any tick.
It was one of the most aggressive, fast-feeding ticks in North America — and it carries risks far beyond Lyme disease.
Let’s explore what makes the Lone Star tick so dangerous — and exactly what to do if you find one on your skin.
⚠️ Why the Lone Star Tick Is More Than Just a Nuisance
