CONCORD, N.H. – The drought conditions that have gripped much of the Northeastern U.S. this summer appear to have a silver lining – fewer ticks. From Maine to Rhode Island, researchers say they expect tick numbers to be down from previous years, especially for the blacklegged ticks, known as deer ticks, which transmit Lyme disease. It’s too early to say, however, whether fewer ticks could mean a decline in Lyme disease cases.