FYI: Dog ticks survive by feeding on people and animals but can live up to two years without a host body Ticks can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can cause illnesses in humans. Some of the most common tick-borne illnesses in North America include: Lyme disease, babesiosis (pronounced “buh-BEE-zee-oh-sis”), ehrlichiosis (“err-lik-ee-OH-sis”), Rocky …