Images of human-biting ticks that are active in Tennessee in the Spring

 Female Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

Female Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

Male Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

 Nymphal Lone Star tick  (Amblyomma americanum)

 Female Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum)

 Female Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum)

Male Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum)

Male Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum)

Powassan virus is not currently a significant risk in southern states

CNN has a recent article about Powassan virus, spread by blacklegged ticks: http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/health/powassan-tick-virus/index.html

Here's a map of the locations of Powassan cases in recent years.  While the article claims "everyone" is at risk, there is in fact currently no significant risk of this disease for folk in southern states.  I know of one report of a patient being treated for Powassan in TN, however I checked with the doctor involved, who says the child contracted the infection on Long Island NY.

Regional variation in tick-borne disease risk deserves more attention than it gets.