Questing Ticks

If you didn't already know, we have a tick problem.  They are particularly bad in the bottom.  Otoelene hates going down there so I have started changing up where and when I ride because of the ticks. 

You can see why.  Those are all ticks on the grass ready to latch on to anything that walks by.

It is called "questing".  Since they can't jump, they crawl to the top of the grass and hold out two legs so they can grab hold and climb up on a host. 

Just walking through the field leads to this every few yards.  These are Asian Longhorned Ticks.  They can reproduce without mating and lay 1000-2000 eggs at a time.  Unfortunately, they are making it so life will no longer be the same here.