Reports have been and health officials already are treating patients for tick-borne illnesses this year, with hikers and bicyclists being particularly vulnerable to these pests. Dr. Thomas Math recommends using bug spray and wearing protective clothing, like long pants with a rubber band at the bottom, to prevent tick bites. Deer ticks, the most dangerous type, can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Babesia parasites. However, there is a grace period of up to 48 hours before a tick latches on, giving you time to spot and remove it. Lyme disease may present with a bullseye rash, but a blood test is needed for confirmation, which can take several weeks for results.