What necessary evolutionary niche do ticks fill, again? Any chance we could do without them?

What necessary evolutionary niche do ticks fill, again? Any chance we could do without them?

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-jersey/articles/2017-05-20/lyme-disease-on-rise-amid-diagnosis-treatment-controversy
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-jersey/articles/2017-05-20/lyme-disease-on-rise-amid-diagnosis-treatment-controversy