Related video from April: Preventing diseases from ticks
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Even though tick season is peaking, the threat will continue to linger, especially in states where warmer weather is fueling a surge in tick activity.
Ticks may be tiny, but just one can transmit diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to pest control company Terminix. Since higher tick populations can increase your risk of exposure to such diseases, knowing which states have the most ticks helps you know where to take extra precautions.
How to protect yourself from ticks year-round
A new report from Terminix ranked the top 25 tick-infested states based on the number of tick control services used by residents:
California
Florida
Texas
Pennsylvania
New York
Georgia
New Jersey
Arizona
Massachusetts
Ohio
Virginia
Tennessee
Maryland
Michigan
Kentucky
Oklahoma
Illinois
Indiana
Alabama
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Connecticut
Maine
West Virginia
The states that ranked highest offer warm temperatures, high humidity, and plenty of green spaces where ticks thrive, but climate change is reportedly expanding their range.
“This isn’t just a nuisance; tick activity is reaching new levels across the country, posing a serious and growing public health threat,” Tom Dobrinska, entomologist and technical service manager at Terminix, said in a statement provided by Reputation Partners. “Climate change continues to increase tick populations. As winters become milder and warm seasons increase in length, tick survival and risk for human exposure increase significantly.”
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While the list featured several states from the Southeast and South-Central regions, the Northeast generally has the largest tick populations, the company said. Common species include the black-legged tick and the American dog tick.
Keep in mind that not all ticks carry the disease-causing pathogens, so disease risk can vary by tick species. Terminix said states in the Northeast and parts of the Upper Midwest are often identified as the worst places for ticks in the U.S. due to their high rates of Lyme disease cases. Meanwhile, Southeastern and South-Central states might see more cases of ehrlichiosis or spotted fever rickettsiosis.
If you live in one of top states for ticks, the pest control company said you can help protect your family and pets from these pervasive pests by keeping your yard trimmed, wearing long pants and sleeves outdoors, using EPA-approved insect repellents, and performing tick checks after being outside. For more tips on tick prevention, click here.
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