ABSTRACT
Ticks are ectoparasites (external parasites) that survive by hematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Besides inducing discomfort and dermatological conditions, ticks are responsible for transmitting a number of viral, bacterial, and protozoan diseases among birds and mammals, including humans. Indeed, ticks are the leading carriers (vectors) of human diseases in the United States, second only to mosquitoes worldwide.
