One thing you might not expect when moving from Korea to the suburbs of the U.S. is the bugs.

There are mosquitoes and ticks in Korea, too. But living in a place like Centerville, where there are woods right behind your house, streams, and deer coming into the neighborhood, feels a bit different. If you often visit parks or trails on the weekends, it's good to be aware of ticks.

Sometimes, Koreans say, "Isn't it true that Koreans have different body types, so we don't get these things?" But that's not the case.

Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome are not diseases that Koreans can avoid.

If you get bitten by a tick and become infected or have an immune response, it can cause problems regardless of your ethnicity.

One tick to be cautious of around Centerville is the Blacklegged Tick, commonly known as the deer tick.

This tick can transmit Lyme disease, and initially, you might develop a red rash around the bite or feel fatigued and have a fever, similar to flu symptoms.

If caught early, treatment is usually effective, but if you let it go, it can lead to joint or neurological issues, so it shouldn't be taken lightly.

There's something even stranger. After being bitten by a Lone Star Tick, some people develop an allergy called Alpha-gal Syndrome.

This can cause allergic reactions like hives or abdominal pain a few hours after eating mammal meat, such as beef or pork, which you might have previously eaten without any issues. In severe cases, it can lead to emergencies.

For someone who loves meat, like many Koreans, this is quite shocking.

To think that a tick could change a person's diet after eating pork belly is quite something.

In the summer, there are also many mosquitoes.

Especially after a heavy rain and when the weather gets warm, mosquitoes can quickly swarm around grassy areas or woods in the evening.

There are mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus, so it's not something to dismiss by saying, "What's the big deal about getting bitten a few times?"

That said, I'm not saying you shouldn't go into the woods while living in Centerville out of fear.

I actually think this natural environment is one of Centerville's advantages. However, when hiking in places like Bull Run, it's a good habit to wear long pants and apply some insect repellent.

When you return home, take a shower and check areas where ticks might hide, like your legs, waist, and armpits.

If your kids have been playing in the woods, it's a good idea for parents to check them.

One of the great things about living in the suburbs of the U.S. is having woods and parks close to home, but it turns out that people aren't the only ones who enjoy that nature.

So, there's no need to be overly scared, but going into the woods without any preparation, just like you did in Korea, isn't a good idea either.