Sorry leaf litter is the ground cover. Scarp the ground cover away from where you place you tent. A simple garden rake will do just fine.

Am not a Doctor - Do a internet search on tick disease.

Tick-transmitted diseases of humans.

Babesiosis

Colorado tick fever

Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE)

Relapsing fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Tularemia

Lyme disease

Some symptoms are chills and fever.

Lymes can (but may not) have a red bulls eye or red circle around the area.

I carry some alcohol wipes to clean the area that was bitten.

And for deep bites I use a bit of Neosporin a cream and an band aid.

JW