
The 'red ring/blotch' doesn't always show up! My niece and her son visited us a couple of years ago and walked through our woods. They were bitten without knowing it. Neither showed the red circle. They came down with Lyme's after they returned home. The little boy was hospitalized for several weeks. My niece was put on IV antibiotics for three months, followed by another three months of oral medication. She has permanent mild nerve damage.
Whenever I go into any area with unmowed grass or woods, I spray my long pants with a insect repellent. I have found that Permanon (sp?) works the best but should never be applied to bare skin. Deet at its highest concentration also works for me. If you don't like chemicals, wear long slacks with the socks pulled over the legs.