Unpleasant(Icky) Things in Middle Earth

[Daughter of Elros]

My roommate asked me a question today that I realized I couldn't remember the answer to, so I thought I'd return to Entmoot for help.

She phrased it as "Wouldn't there be ticks there?" Referring to the Shire

But in a larger sense, what, if any bugs, or pests, or parasites are noted as being a part of the various realms of Middle Earth?

[GrayMouser]

IIRC, both Mordor and Mirkwood had somewhat of an arachnid population.

[GrayMouser]

Seriously, there was Midgewater, between Bree and Weathertop, and Sam and Frodo encounter swarms of biting flies in the foothills of Mordor.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Beyond what is explicitly noted as being present, I think it is safe to assume that there are (roughly) the same sort of vermin that one would find in 21st century Europe. Probably not many of them in Elvish realms, but I would be quite surprised if the Shire were bug-free.

[The Gaffer]

Neekerbreekers!

"Nameless things" that gnaw the roots of mountains.

The Flies of Mordor.

Ted Sandyman.

[Valandil]

As for the average, everyday sort of pest - not worth any special mention. They don't make it into the pages of many stories, because they don't really contribute to the story. :)

[Mornorngûr]

Everything that exists in our world can be assuamed to have existed in Middle-earth (with the exception of our technology's etc) also.