We have lonestars REAL bad on Long Island. CErtain areas are wors ethan others. Some areas I would never even venture to this time of year. The lonestars are nasty. They actually seek out a blood meal like a Mosquito. The can seek the source of CO2 for I believe 50 feet away. From what I understand the larvae do not transmit disease. They havent had a blood meal yet to aquire any. Tick in general carry disease only after the first blood meal. The most popular host for disease in my area I believe is the white footed mouse.