What should I do if I'm bitten by a tick?

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin. Pull straight out with steady pressure. Clean the area and monitor for symptoms.

How can I prevent tick bites?

Wear protective clothing, use EPA-approved repellents, and avoid tall grass and wooded areas. Check for ticks after being outdoors.

Tick season typically begins in spring and lasts through fall, but ticks can remain active year-round in warmer climates.

What diseases can ticks carry?

Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, RMSF, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and more.

Tick Season 2025: 7 Cities Facing Increased Tick Populations This Season

As spring arrives, several U.S. cities are expected to see a rise in tick activity, according to the NPMA’s Public Health Pest Index. Warmer temperatures, increased rainfall, and fluctuating winter weather have created ideal conditions for ticks to thrive, especially in areas with active outdoor lifestyles and dense vegetation. These parasitic pests are known for transmitting serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and can pose significant health risks to humans and pets alike.

Blacklegged dear tick on skin

7 Cities Expected to See a Surge in Tick Populations in Spring 2025

As shifting weather patterns continue to influence pest behavior across the country, tick activity is beginning earlier than usual in many regions. While cockroaches, rodents, and mosquitoes are also expected to surge this season, the following cities have been specifically flagged for heightened tick pressure this spring.

1. Boston, MA

An unusually warm start to spring could give ticks a head start, increasing exposure risk for outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners.

2. Cleveland, OH

Soggy and mild winter conditions in Cleveland create the perfect environment for ticks to thrive as temperatures rise.

According to the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC, Lyme disease cases in Ohio have surged by more than 700% between 2007 and 2018, highlighting the growing public health threat posed by expanding tick populations across the state. Cleveland residents are most likely to encounter several species of ticks, including:

American Dog Ticks

Blacklegged (Deer) Ticks

Lone Star Ticks

Asian Longhorned Ticks.

Blacklegged Ticks, also known as Deer Ticks, are particularly concerning due to their link to Lyme disease.

Learn more about ticks in Ohio.

3. Grand Rapids, MI

Following a snowy winter, rising temperatures and spring rainfall are expected to drive a significant increase in tick populations.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, over 80% of counties in Michigan are potentially at risk for Lyme disease, primarily due to the widespread presence of Blacklegged Ticks. In Grand Rapids and surrounding areas, residents are most likely to encounter:

American Dog Ticks

Blacklegged (Deer) Ticks

Lone Star Ticks

Brown Dog Ticks

Learn more about ticks in Michigan.

4. Louisville, KY

If the predicted warm spring materializes, ticks in Louisville may become active earlier than normal, heightening exposure risks.

5. San Antonio, TX

Record-breaking warmth throughout winter has allowed ticks to remain active, raising the likelihood of a strong surge this spring.

While Texas is considered a low-incidence state for Lyme disease, several species of ticks are commonly found across the state, and residents should remain vigilant, especially during the warmer months when tick activity peaks. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, tick season is at its worst during spring and summer, which aligns with the conditions forecasted for 2025. In San Antonio and the surrounding areas, residents are most likely to encounter:

American Dog Ticks

Blacklegged (Deer) Ticks

Lone Star Ticks

Brown Dog Ticks

Learn more about ticks in Texas.

6. Seattle, WA

After a dry winter, expected spring rainfall could boost tick activity across the region.

While ticks are less widespread in Washington than in many other states, residents still face health risks from several tick-borne diseases. According to the Washington State Department of Health, ticks in the area are capable of transmitting illnesses such as babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, tick paralysis, and tularemia.

In western Washington, including Seattle, the most commonly encountered species is the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, while American Dog Ticks and Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks are more prevalent in the eastern portion of the state.

Learn more about ticks in Washington state.

7. Washington, DC

A rollercoaster winter—starting unusually warm and ending with heavy snowfall—has created ideal conditions for a spike in tick activity. If spring arrives early, tick populations in the region are expected to surge.

According to CDC data from nearby Maryland, reported tick-borne illnesses more than doubled between 2004 and 2016, with diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia all known to be transmitted by ticks in the Mid-Atlantic region. These same risks apply to residents of Washington, DC. The most encountered ticks in the DC-Maryland area include:

American Dog Ticks

Blacklegged (Deer) Ticks

Lone Star Ticks

Brown Dog Ticks

Asian Longhorned Ticks

Gulf Coast Ticks

Tick season in DC typically begins in spring and extends through fall, with the potential for year-round activity when temperatures stay above freezing.

Learn more about ticks in Maryland.

Tick-Borne Health Concerns

Ticks are well-known for spreading Lyme disease, but they also transmit several other dangerous and lesser-known illnesses. These diseases can affect both humans and pets, often presenting with vague or flu-like symptoms that may go unnoticed until more serious complications arise. Some infections can be life-threatening if not treated promptly, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions. Major tick-borne diseases to be aware of include:

Lyme Disease

Caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium and typically spread by Blacklegged (Deer) Ticks, Lyme disease is the most recognized tick-borne illness in the U.S. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and a telltale bullseye rash. Early treatment with antibiotics is usually effective.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

RMSF is a serious tick-borne illness with a mortality rate exceeding 20% if not treated early. It is transmitted by American Dog Ticks, Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks, and Brown Dog Ticks, and can be passed to humans within just two hours of attachment. Symptoms typically begin with a full-body rash appearing two to five days after the bite. Without prompt treatment, RMSF may cause lasting damage, including hearing loss, paralysis, or mental disability. Early antibiotic therapy, ideally within five days of symptom onset, is critical to avoid severe complications.

Tularemia

Tularemia, or “Rabbit Fever,” is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and can be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Most tick-related cases occur during the summer. The most common form, ulceroglandular tularemia, results from tick bites and causes flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and skin ulcers at the bite site. Prompt antibiotic treatment is essential, as the disease can be severe or even fatal if left untreated.

Ehrlichiosis

Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME) is a tick-borne disease caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and transmitted by Lone Star Ticks. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, nausea, and sometimes a rash, especially in children. While treatable with antibiotics, HME can be fatal if left untreated.

Anaplasmosis

Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne illness caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and transmitted by Blacklegged and Western Blacklegged Ticks—the same ticks that spread Lyme disease. Found mainly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. The disease can be more severe in older adults or those with weakened immune systems but is treatable with antibiotics.

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness caused by the parasite Babesia microti, which infects red blood cells and can lead to severe anemia. It is transmitted by Blacklegged Ticks and is most common in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Symptoms may include fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue, though many healthy individuals show no signs at all. Severe cases, especially in those with weakened immune systems or no spleen, can lead to organ failure and require a 7–10 day treatment with prescription medications.

Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF)

TBRF is a bacterial infection transmitted by Ornithodoros soft ticks, which feed quickly and painlessly at night, often going unnoticed. Most cases occur in the western U.S. and are linked to sleeping in rodent-infested cabins. Symptoms come in cycles, with recurring episodes of fever, chills, headache, and nausea. While symptoms may resolve on their own, antibiotic treatment can speed recovery and prevent relapses.

How to Protect Your Family and Pets from Ticks

To reduce your risk of tick exposure at home or outdoors, follow these proven prevention steps:

Maintain your yard – Keep grass trimmed short and regularly mow around fence lines, sheds, shrubs, and other hard-to-reach areas. Remove weeds, woodpiles, leaf litter, and debris that can attract mice, a primary host for Lyme disease-carrying ticks.

Deter wildlife – Keep garbage can lids tightly closed to prevent visits from raccoons, skunks, and opossums, which are common tick carriers.

Avoid overgrown areas – Stick to the center of trails while hiking and avoid contact with tall grass, dense brush, or wooded edges.

Dress for protection – Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes to reduce skin exposure and make it easier to spot ticks. Tuck pants into socks or boots when walking through tick-prone areas.

Use tick repellents – Apply EPA-approved insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET or permethrin on clothing and exposed skin. Always follow label instructions.

Perform thorough tick checks – After outdoor activities, inspect your entire body, scalp, and clothing. Pay close attention to areas like underarms, behind ears, and around the waistline, especially on children.

Inspect pets daily – Ticks can hide in fur and be brought into the home. Check pets thoroughly, focusing on ears, under legs, and between toes after they’ve been outdoors.

Talk to your vet – Discuss tick-prevention treatments and encourage testing your pet’s blood for the Lyme disease spirochete, especially for pets that spend a lot of time outside.

Discourage bird feeding – Dropped seeds attract deer mice, which are key carriers of ticks that transmit Lyme disease.

Install chimney screens – Prevent squirrels and birds from nesting in chimneys and attics, where they can introduce ticks indoors.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from ticks and Lyme disease this season.

What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Tick

If you find a tick attached to your skin, don’t panic. Most ticks need to be attached for 36 to 48 hours before they can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, so removing the tick promptly and properly is key to reducing your risk. Follow these steps to safely remove a tick:

Expose the tick by gently pulling back any hair around the bite site.

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick’s head as close to the skin as possible. Avoid squeezing its body.

Pull straight outward with steady pressure—do not twist or jerk the tick, as this may leave its head embedded in your skin.

Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water, or use rubbing alcohol or iodine.

Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or sealing it in tissue before placing it in the trash.

Avoid using nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to force the tick out. These methods are ineffective and may delay removal. Monitor the bite site for several weeks. If you develop a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Be sure to mention the tick bite, when it happened, and where you may have been exposed.

Learn more about how to safely and easily remove a tick.

Contact a Tick Professional

If your city made this list, or even if it didn’t, tick season is not the time to go it alone. DIY methods often fall short when it comes to keeping ticks out of your yard and off your family and pets.

A licensed tick control expert can accurately identify problem areas and implement targeted, effective solutions. Don’t wait until symptoms appear. Find a local tick professional today and stay ahead of the risk.