Do ticks actually do anything useful?

[RustyPine17]

I've been reading up on ticks and can't help but wonder if they serve any purpose at all. I mean, with all the hassle they bring in terms of Lyme disease and other issues, do they bring anything positive to our ecosystem? Anyone come across research or thoughts on this?

 

[Frontstuffers]

Well, they do give a somewhat satisfying "pop" when held in an open flame.

 

[puma guy]

Well, they provide income for all the preventative medication providers. My dad was a veterinarian and back in the 50's and 60's we had a steady stream of clients bringing the dogs in to be dipped. $1.00 a dog, that he finally upped to $1.50 around 1962. I doubt the concentrate as effective as it was is still available, but we sold it bottled up as well. In the late 70's the Federal Government made rules that we couldn't bottle, it so the company had to provide it to us in 4 oz bottles which increased the price markedly. I dipped dogs that people had let get, so infested their gums were white.