Summary Ixodes scapularis ticks play an important role in the transmission of a wide variety of pathogens between various mammalian species, including humans. Pathogens transmitted by ticks include Borrelia , Anaplasma and Babesia . Although ticks may harbour both pathogenic and non‐pathogenic microflora, little is known about how the diversity of the microflora within ticks may influence the transmission of pathogens. To begi...