It occurs to me that I’ve lived my entire life in Tick Alley.

From the Minnesota Department of Health

The late spring confounded ticks in our area, but they are out in full force by now. By the time the black flies come out the ticks usually thin out a bit. It’s been a heavy year for mosquitoes, too. (The Weather Channel lets you track mosquito forecasts here). But honestly, this is the only bad thing about Minnesota in the summer.