Should Wisconsinites Really Worry About Ticks Jumping From Trees?

This is a legit concern north of the border, and it's super gross too. Can a tick, jump of fall from a tree to land on you? TICKS

These nasty little boogers are a problem, year round. But when the heat of summer hits things get a lot more intense with ticks. Let's answer some questions about ticks and their abilities to keep you and your dog safe this summer.

First off, a tick isn't even an insect. A tick in an arachnid...Like a spider.

"A spider is an arachnid, so a tick is closely related to a spider, what's the difference? Basically, insect adults have six legs, and arachnids as adults have eight legs. They're both arthropods, but there's a difference." - Michael Dryden, university professor at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

90 different types of ticks like in North America, but there are upwards of 450 types world wide. People fear fleas and ticks when it comes to their pets. They are equally nasty and could cause issues for your dog.

"Fleas are bad, they're blood-sucking parasites as well. They certainly can cause a lot of damage and harm, and kill animals. But, a lot of people tend to put up with fleas to one extent or another. You get a few ticks on an animal, people seem to be more concerned." - Michael Dryden, university professor at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

So here's the big question, up in Wisconsin, can they jump or fall from treed onto you and your pet? If you are in a wooded area will they launch themselves from a tree to land on you?

"They can't leap. They can't jump. They have no physical mechanism to do that. There's no evidence that ticks climb way up into trees, some of these ticks, like the ones that transmit Lyme disease, have no photo receptors. They can't see. They live their entire life in the dark." - Michael Dryden, university professor at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

They can't leap. They can't jump. They have no physical mechanism to do that.

Take to dog for a walk Wisconsin, folk. You're all good. No jumping, leaping, falling ticks.