Peak tick season is approaching in the United States, and researchers fear this summer could be particularly severe. Data from the University of Rhode Island shows that submissions of nymphal blacklegged ticks, which carry Lyme disease, to its TickSpotters platform are already higher than the weekly average for the same period over the past decade.
Dr Thomas Mather, an entomologist at the university, noted that federal data indicates emergency room visits related to ticks have nearly doubled, from 70 in April to 131 in May. “I don’t know if it’s a trend going up – but I suspect it is, just based on the number of nymphal blacklegged ticks I’ve seen in the past few weeks,” he said.
Other experts have observed similar spikes. Dr Saravanan Thangamani, who runs the Upstate Tick Testing Laboratory in New York, reported a 217 per cent increase in tick submissions compared to last year. “Based on the trend, I expect a tick season that is worse than previous years,” he warned. However, Professor Dina Fonseca of Rutgers University urged caution, noting that increased submissions could be due to greater public awareness rather than a genuine surge in tick populations.
Nymphal blacklegged ticks, which can carry multiple disease agents including Lyme disease, are particularly dangerous. They are the size of a poppy seed and can be difficult to spot. Transmission of disease typically takes about 48 hours after a bite, so prompt removal with tweezers is crucial. Anyone developing a rash or fever after a bite should consult a doctor.
To reduce risk, experts recommend wearing tight clothing, tucking in shirts and trousers, and using repellent containing 0.5 per cent permethrin. Changing climate conditions, with warmer and wetter weather, are allowing ticks to thrive and expand northwards, while dry conditions can kill them. “One of the easiest ways to kill a tick is to dry the heck out of them,” said Professor Fonseca.
