What is happening with ticks this year? - briefly
Tick activity has risen across much of the northern hemisphere this year, driven by an unusually mild winter and an early spring that lengthen the period of disease transmission. Health authorities advise increased vigilance, regular use of repellents, and thorough body checks after outdoor exposure.
What is happening with ticks this year? - in detail
Tick activity this year shows a marked increase across temperate regions. Warmer spring temperatures have accelerated the nymphal emergence period by approximately two weeks compared to the previous average. Consequently, peak host‑seeking behavior now occurs in early May rather than mid‑June.
Key observations include:
- Species distribution – The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) extends its range northward into southern Canada, while the western black‑legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) expands along the Pacific coastline into higher elevations.
- Host interactions – Small‑mammal populations, especially white‑footed mice, have risen by 15 % due to milder winters, providing abundant blood meals for immature stages.
- Pathogen prevalence – Borrelia burgdorferi infection rates in questing nymphs have risen from 20 % to 28 % in the northeastern United States. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti show similar upward trends.
- Human cases – Reported Lyme disease incidents increased by 12 % nationally, with the highest incidence reported in the Upper Midwest and New England.
Public‑health agencies recommend the following preventive measures:
- Conduct daily body inspections after outdoor exposure, focusing on scalp, behind ears, and groin areas.
- Use EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on skin and clothing.
- Wear long sleeves and pants treated with permethrin; remove clothing before entering the home.
- Promptly remove attached ticks with fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling steadily upward.
Research initiatives are monitoring climate‑driven shifts through satellite‑derived temperature models and tick‑surveillance networks. Early‑season sampling aims to refine risk maps for the upcoming summer months, supporting targeted public‑awareness campaigns and vector‑control programs.