I do not worry to much about Lyme Disease and Rocky Mt Spotted Fever being as I have lived in the mountains my whole life an ran EMS for 13 years of it an have never seen ether. Jackson Co Alabama did have a case of Rocky Mt Spotted Fever though a few years ago. But both are pretty rare.
Given the option, I would take a yard full of fire ants over a yard full of seed ticks anyday
Fire ants are more of a actual pain but easier to stay out of.
lol You got a picture, he must be a big one? Nothing like coming in an seeing what looks like dirt on your whole leg but then it hits you that it is moving. I have seen people painted brown from them from the knees down.