Tick season is upon us, and experts warn that the bloodsuckers may be as plentiful as ever this year. A mild winter and other favorable conditions have contributed to a potentially large tick population for 2024. “It’s very bad and has only been getting worse,” said Susanna Visser of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An increasing variety of ticks are venturing into new geographic areas, introducing unusual diseases. Exotic southern species like the Gulf Coast tick and the lone star tick have been detected in northern states such as New York. However, the blacklegged tick remains the most concerning species, primarily found in forests and known for transmitting Lyme disease. Infection rates for Lyme disease typically peak in May, with an estimated half a million cases occurring annually in the United States.
To protect yourself during tick season, experts recommend avoiding wooded areas and keeping to the center of trails when hiking. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and tuck your pants into your socks. Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin, an insecticide that repels ticks. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535. After spending time outdoors, check your body thoroughly for ticks, paying close attention to areas like the waist, behind the knees, and in the hair. Remove any ticks immediately with fine-tipped tweezers.
Ticks are small, eight-legged bloodsucking parasites that feed on animals and humans. Some ticks carry disease-causing germs, which they transmit through their bites. The blacklegged tick, or deer tick, is one of the most common tick species in the eastern United States. Tick populations have been expanding for decades, with the blacklegged tick’s range extending from New England to the Midwest, South, and Great Plains.
Weather conditions play a role in tick season severity. Cold, dry winters can reduce tick populations, but recent winters have been mild, a trend attributed to climate change. As a result, tick populations are no longer as limited by winter temperatures. Ticks can withstand heat but tend to become inactive during dry summers. However, wet summers provide favorable conditions for ticks to thrive.
In Wisconsin, adult ticks were active for a longer period due to the mild winter. Tick nymphs are now emerging, and a wet spring could lead to a robust tick population. A similar situation is expected in New York, with experts predicting a tick season as bad as or worse than last year.
Lyme disease is a common tick-borne disease transmitted by the blacklegged tick. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a bull’s-eye-like rash at the site of the tick bite. If you experience these symptoms after a tick bite, see a doctor for treatment with antibiotics.
Preventing tick bites is crucial for reducing the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. By following these precautionary measures, you can minimize your exposure to ticks and protect yourself from their potential health threats.
