Fascinating, jeri, that in your article, oak trees and the resulting acorns seem to play a part in encouraging the rodents. We have a huge number of fine oaks in Norfolk, and of course millions of acorns on the ground each Autumn. I'm also interested to read that the small nymphs are a danger, and difficult to spot. My doctor was a bit sceptical at first, but the 'bullseye' rash conviced him to give me the antibiotics, thankfully. Returning to the OP, I shall be watching my cats more carefully for any sign of ticks. But we live in a house with only a small garden now, and no deer. My cats stay near to the house as they're older and quieter, so I hope there's less risk. Obviously, their fur makes it hard to see any rash.