Where is the Lyme disease tick found? - briefly
The Lyme disease vector thrives in humid, temperate zones, frequenting leaf litter, tall grass, and shrubbery in regions such as the northeastern United States, parts of the Midwest, and comparable forested areas across Europe and Asia. It is rarely encountered in arid or high‑elevation environments.
Where is the Lyme disease tick found? - in detail
The black‑legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Western black‑legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) inhabit distinct regions of North America.
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Eastern United States and southeastern Canada: dense woodlands, leaf‑covered ground, and suburban yards from the Atlantic seaboard through the Midwest to the Great Lakes. States with established populations include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the New England region. Canadian provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia also report regular presence.
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Western United States: coastal and forested zones from northern California through Oregon, Washington, and into British Columbia. The species thrives in mixed coniferous‑deciduous forests, chaparral, and high‑elevation meadows.
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Specific habitats: leaf litter, moss, low vegetation, and shaded rodent burrows. Ticks are most abundant in areas with high density of white‑tailed deer, small mammals, and birds that serve as hosts.
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Seasonal distribution: questing activity peaks in spring and early summer for nymphs, and in autumn for adult ticks. In milder climates, activity may extend into winter months.
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Microclimate requirements: relative humidity above 80 % and temperatures between 4 °C and 30 °C sustain survival and host‑seeking behavior.
Reports from public health agencies confirm that the tick’s range expands northward and to higher elevations as climate patterns shift, creating new risk zones in previously non‑endemic areas. Surveillance maps identify emerging foci in the upper Midwest, the Pacific Northwest interior, and the Atlantic Canadian provinces.
Understanding these geographic and ecological parameters enables targeted prevention and monitoring strategies.