Dermacentor variabilis, a tick commonly found on humans and dogs, is commonly studied in order to increase awareness of the risks that are associated with tick bites (Estrada-Pena et al. 1999). Ticks have the ability to cause paralyses, toxicoses, allergic reactions, and are vectors of many viruses, including rickerrsial, bacterial and protozoan pathogens (Estrada-Pena et al. 1999). Dermacentor variabilis is often found on humans that have been exposed to infested vegetation (Estrada-Pena et al. 1999). This tick species lives in close contact with a number of other species which is believed to help with the transmission of many pathogens, in particular Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Stromdahl et al. 2011). Francisella tularensis has the ability
