LYMES is like malaria... in that it has to travel via a warm blood stream... from infected warm blood to infected warm blood.... so the live animals have to be there for the ticks to eat. Once the livestock is infected, then other ticks become infected.
There do need to be live animals around for them to feed but, as with most ticks, they can come off of a host for periods of time.
I found these precautions on line
How do I avoid getting bitten by a tick?
The best way to protect yourself against Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses is to avoid tick bites. This includes avoiding tick-infested areas. However, if you live in or visit wooded areas or areas with tall grass and weeds, follow these precautions against Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and tularemia:
Wear light-colored, protective clothing?long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots or sturdy shoes, and a head covering. Tuck trouser cuffs in socks. Tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks cannot crawl under clothing.
Apply insect repellant containing 10 percent to 30 percent DEET primarily to clothes. Apply sparingly to exposed skin (do not spray directly to the face; spray the insect repellant onto hands and then apply to face. Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth and nasal membranes). Be sure to wash treated skin after coming indoors. Use repellents containing permethrin to treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes)?but not skin. Always follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse insect repellents. Always supervise children in the use of insect repellents.
Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you.
Check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks. Most ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit a tickborne disease until they have been attached for four or more hours. If your pets spend time outdoors, regularly check them for ticks, too.
Remove any tick promptly. Do not burn the tick with a match or cover it with petroleum jelly. Do not use bare hands. The best way to remove a tick is to grasp it with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick. If tweezers are not available, grasp the tick with a piece of tissue or cloth or whatever can be used as a barrier between your fingers and the tick. If the mouthparts do break off, do not become alarmed; once the mouthparts are removed from the rest of the tick, the tick can no longer transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. If you want to have an intact tick identified, put it in a small vial of rubbing alcohol and contact your local health department for assistance.
Wash the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and apply an antiseptic to the bite site.
Make sure the property around your home is unattractive to ticks. Keep your grass mowed and keep weeds cut.