deer tick

noun

Definition of deer tick

: an ixodid tick (Ixodes scapularis synonym I. dammini) of the eastern U.S. and Canada that transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease

— called also black-legged tick

Examples of deer tick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The upsurge of deer ticks, followed by an upsurge in Lyme disease, in the state over the past 20 years has drawn significant attention to ticks and tick prevention. — Anna Groves, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Don't panic over first Rocky Mountain spotted fever death in Wisconsin, but be careful," 12 July 2018 Andreadis said that the rate of Lyme disease infection in deer ticks in Connecticut between 2013 and 2017 ranged from a low of 27 percent to as high as 32 percent. — Gregory B. Hladky, courant.com, "Lyme Disease Tick Numbers Now At Record Highs," 25 June 2018 In fact, Sax considers DEET the gold standard against Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit a host of diseases (including Zika) as well as deer ticks, which often strike now through the end of summer. — Kari Molvar, Vogue, "The Best Bug Sprays for a Bite-Proof Summer, According to the Pros," 18 June 2018 Only one type of tick, Ixodes scapularis – commonly known as the deer tick or blacklegged tick – transmits Lyme disease. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Reducing your risk of Lyme disease as the threat increases," 10 July 2018 These are different ticks from the transmitters of Lyme disease, which are deer ticks, also called black-legged ticks. — Anna Groves, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Don't panic over first Rocky Mountain spotted fever death in Wisconsin, but be careful," 12 July 2018 Tick paralysis can be caused by several species of ticks, including deer ticks (which can also carry Lyme disease) and dog ticks (which can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever). — Amanda Macmillan, Health.com, "After Her Daughter Was Paralyzed by a Tick, This Mom's Warning Is Going Viral on Facebook," 11 June 2018 Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacterium, Borellia burgdorferi, that is carried by deer ticks. — Jennifer Walter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Tick App offers resources to identify, remove ticks as part of Lyme disease study," 3 July 2018 Just the FAQs An Indiana University program that monitors disease-carrying pests has found many more deer ticks that carry Lyme disease than previously thought to exist in the southern and central parts of the state. — Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "IU study: We have more ticks here that carry Lyme disease than thought," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deer tick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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1 Nov 2018

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The first known use of deer tick was in 1982

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More Definitions for deer tick

deer tick

noun

English Language Learners Definition of deer tick

: a very small insect found in the eastern U.S. and in Canada that usually feeds on deer and that can give the person or animal it bites various diseases (such as Lyme disease)

See the full definition for deer tick in the English Language Learners Dictionary

deer tick

noun

\ˈdi(ə)r-