No magic bullet for eliminating or medical breakthrough for preventing Lyme disease can be seen on the horizon. This fast-growing pandemic, second only to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in public interest and concern, will probably continue to increase in range and incidence for the foreseeable future. Ticks are notoriously difficult to thwart, but intelligent application of control measures may be effective. More important, commonsense safety measures offer personal protection to the degree that they are assiduously practiced.