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Rocky Mountain wood ticks moving into higher elevations.
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First reports of Lyme disease-carrying ticks in California.
4. Urban & Suburban Areas
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Ticks are no longer just in forestsâparks, backyards, and green spaces are now risk zones.
Diseases Carried by Ticks
| Disease | Primary Tick Carrier | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Lyme disease | Blacklegged tick | Fever, fatigue, bullseye rash, joint pain |
| Anaplasmosis | Blacklegged tick | Flu-like symptoms, severe if untreated |
| Babesiosis | Blacklegged tick | Malaria-like illness (fever, chills, anemia) |
| Powassan virus | Blacklegged tick | Rare but severe (neurological damage, death in some cases) |
| Alpha-gal syndrome | Lone Star tick | Allergic reaction to red meat (delayed hives, anaphylaxis) |
| Rocky Mountain spotted fever | American dog tick | Rash, fever, organ failure if untreated |
How to Protect Yourself
âď¸ Before Going Outdoors
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Use EPA-approved repellents (DEET, picaridin, or permethrin-treated clothing).
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Wear long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothes (easier to spot ticks).
âď¸ After Being Outside
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Check your body (especially scalp, armpits, groin).
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Shower within 2 hours to wash off unattached ticks.
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Inspect petsâthey can bring ticks inside.
âď¸ In Your Yard
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Keep grass short and remove leaf litter.
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Use tick-control treatments if in a high-risk area.
âď¸ If You Find a Tick
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Remove it with tweezers (grasp near the head, pull straight out).
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Save the tick (in a sealed bag) for testing if symptoms develop.
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Monitor for symptoms (rash, fever, fatigue) and see a doctor if they appear.
Why Are Ticks Spreading?
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Climate change â Warmer winters = longer tick seasons.
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Wildlife movement â Deer, mice, and birds spread ticks to new areas.
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Urban sprawl â More people living near tick habitats.
Final Thoughts
Ticks are no longer just a rural problemâtheyâre in backyards, parks, and new regions across the U.S. Awareness and prevention are key to avoiding serious illnesses.
