Every year, over half a million cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed, with the blacklegged tick being the primary culprit. These parasites, the size of poppy seeds in their youth and resembling sesame seeds as adults, can trigger a series of debilitating, whole-body symptoms from only a brief encounter.

The heat is on. With the rapid onset of global warming, the insect population is thriving and the risk of contracting Lyme and associated diseases is increasing.