Year-Round Ticks: Essential Tips for Protecting Yourself from Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

Ticks can be active throughout the entire year, making it critical to check for and remove them promptly, especially after outdoor activities like hiking, gardening, or simply enjoying nature. Sam Telford, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts University, emphasizes that while tick-related infections are more frequently reported in summer, vigilance is necessary year-round because “every season is tick season.”

Regional tick populations can vary significantly. Certain Northeastern states, such as Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, are reporting higher-than-average numbers of American dog ticks this year.

Similarly, New York is experiencing an increase in reported deer tick bites compared to last year, according to Saravanan Thangamani, a researcher at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Ticks, similar to mosquitoes, require blood to survive.

However, they feed slowly, using hooked mouthparts to attach to their hosts, which include deer, rabbits, dogs, and humans. Among the various tick species, blacklegged ticks or deer ticks are particularly concerning as they can transmit Lyme disease.

These ticks, once mainly confined to New England and some Midwest areas, are now found in broader regions. Fortunately, a tick bite doesn’t always result in illness; removing a tick within 24 hours significantly reduces the risk of infection, says Telford.

To effectively check for ticks, inspect clothing and perform full-body checks, paying careful attention to areas like under the arms, behind ears, and in hair. Taking a shower after spending time outdoors can help wash away unattached ticks.

If you find a tick, use tweezers to remove it close to the skin, or alternatively use fingernails or a credit card edge. To minimize tick exposure, consider wearing long sleeves and pants, and using bug sprays containing DEET.

Additionally, spraying clothes with permethrin can deter ticks. Pet owners should ensure their animals are treated for fleas and ticks, but also check their fur after outdoor excursions, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Ticks can hitch a ride on pets and invade homes, where they can survive for months. After a tick bite, monitor the area for any rashes or flu-like symptoms.

The CDC advises against tick testing due to the potential unreliability of results.