Have you been hearing whispers about more ticks this summer? On social media, the DMV Daily’s post about ticks has amassed 2,000 reactions for a post about ticks, and sites like the New York Times and Washington Post have been writing about the uptick in ticks, no pun intended.
Are there more ticks this year than previous years?
Let’s just get this out of the way: this isn’t just hearsay, there are more ticks this season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tick-related emergency room visits peaked in May and June, at their highest since 2019.
Ticks are notorious for potentially carrying Lyme Disease but another, more rare and malaria-like disease, babesiosis, has also been detected this year.
While there won’t be a definitive answer until tick season is over and research has been conducted, local officials have been hearing of more tick encounters so far, so it’s better to stay vigilant.
What is causing more ticks?
There are a few reasons there are more ticks this summer. For one, climate change. Warmer weather and less winters means the environment is perfect for them to thrive in. Also, there are more acorn crops, which deer and mice love to eat. With more deer and move and less large predators, that means more ticks.
According to the Washington Post, there are 3 prevalent types of ticks in the D.C. area:
- Black-legged or deer tick are known to carry Lyme Disease (and can also carry babesiosis)
- American dog ticks are brown and known for Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Lone star tick has one white spot on its back and is known for alpha-gal syndrome
How to prevent ticks?
When you’re out hiking, there are a few things you can do to prevent tickets.
First, the most prevalent time for ticks are May to June, although climate change may create a scenario where ticks are prevalent all summer long. Avoid going into tall brush or unmarked trails while hiking, as it’s easier for ticks to be among the brush. Wear longer clothing, keep colors light, and tuck your pants into your shoes. Another great way to keep ticks off is using the repellant called Permethrin. When you’re home, put your clothes in the dryer for an hour after washing them since the heat will kill any ticks you have hitched a ride.
What to do if you find one?
Don’t panic, first off. Grab a set of tweezers and pinch the tick as close to the head as possible. Here is a diagram by the CDC that can help you pull one off correctly.
Don’t throw it away or squish it if you find one. Instead, the Virginia Department of Health is asking that you send a photo for their Citizen Tick Survey project. Not only do you get to help move science forward, but they’ll also help you identify the tick and what possible diseases it potentially carries so that you can stay alert.