Increased during tick season
FOX 5 NY’s Jody Goldberg has the details.
Fox – 5 New York
This year’s tick season could be the worst on record, according to federal data and experts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Tick Bite Data Tracker, which uses real-time emergency room monitoring, shows that the number of weekly tick bite emergency department visits is higher than historical averages in every region of the United States except for the Mid-South states, with the Northeast recording its highest level ever in 2026.
In the fourth week of April, tick bites accounted for about 114 out of 100,000 emergency room visits nationwide, the highest rate since at least 2017, according to the CDC. Nationally, about 31 million people are bitten by ticks each year, and authorities estimate that about 476,000 Americans are treated annually for Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease.
“Tick season is here, and these tiny bites can cause serious illness,” Dr. Alison Hinckley, an epidemiologist and Lyme disease expert in the CDC’s Vector-Borne Disease Division, told USA TODAY. “That means ticks are emerging and people are more likely to be bitten. Now is the time for people to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Although the CDC only tracks ER visits related to tick bites (not tick bites or the presence of ticks overall), the increase in these visits indicates that multiple factors, including weather, normal year-to-year fluctuations in tick survival rates, and the expansion of tick populations into new geographic areas, could result in one of the most prolific tick bite seasons in recent memory. But Hinckley said he won’t know how this year as a whole will compare to previous years until the season is over.
Here’s everything you need to know about why the 2026 tick season looks especially bad.
Will tick season come early?
Tick season was once limited to the warm summer months. That’s no longer the case, according to Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association.
“We’re seeing this trend as winters get milder and shoulder seasons get shorter, but this spring really feels like we’re going from winter to summer,” he says. “This allows a greater proportion of the tick population to survive the winter, even in snow-covered areas.”
Warmer weather has arrived earlier and lasted longer, combined with relatively mild winter temperatures, allowing pests to thrive almost year-round in some regions. And will the layer of snow kill them? Acts as a more comfortable blanket.
Dr. Kathryn Leaf, Endowed Associate Professor of Parasitology and Bailey Goodwin Associate Professor of Parasitology at Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine, added, “Ticks actually do better when there’s more snow than less snow because the snowpack acts as an insulator for the ticks.” “They’re in a layer of dead plants, where they’re nice and warm.”
Why is tick season so bad this year?
In addition to relatively mild winters and snowfall across the country, there is also a phenomenon that experts call the “acorn effect.”
Wild animals such as deer, mice, and squirrels, which often carry ticks, primarily feed on acorns that fall from oak trees in the fall. Oak trees do not produce the same nuts every year. However, the number of acorns that fall is based on an irregular period. Fredericks said years when acorns are produced in large numbers are called “must years” or “must seasons,” and the U.S. has seen some particularly large acorns in recent years.
As more small mammals are able to feed and reproduce from abundant food sources, more ticks will be able to use them as hosts.
“If our wildlife is healthy and has a lot of food, they can definitely produce more food, which then becomes a host for the ticks to feed on,” Leaf said.
Also, because ticks are not born with the diseases they commonly carry, but are infected by mammals such as chipmunks, mice, and squirrels, more of these creatures running around means not only more hosts, but also more potential for disease.
Tick-borne diseases on the move
When we think of tick-borne diseases, Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis) is often the first thing that comes to mind. But experts note that the pests are carrying more pathogens than previously recorded.
Ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, tularemia, and tick paralysis are other notable diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets.
Rife says Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis (a disease caused by bacteria in the genus Ehrlichia), and anaplasmosis (caused by bacteria in the genus Anaplasma phagocytophilum) are particularly prevalent in dogs and their owners. The prevalence is expected to increase into 2026, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, which predicts the prevalence of certain diseases affecting dogs across the United States with more than 94% accuracy.
The latter two illnesses usually cause flu-like symptoms in their early stages. However, if untreated, it can lead to respiratory failure, organ failure, excessive bleeding, central nervous system damage, and death, according to the CDC. Lyme disease is more complex and varied, and can cause symptoms ranging from fever and rash to facial paralysis, irregular heartbeats, and even arthritis.
“We have traditional hotspots where these tick-borne diseases are most common. And as the years go by, these zones don’t really shrink, they just keep expanding,” Leaf said. “These are definitely ongoing diseases.”
How to protect yourself from tick bites
In general, prevention is key when it comes to ticks.
If you own land, Fredericks says you should talk to a professional about tick-proofing your space, which may include fencing between your lawn and wildlife-accessible areas, shortening the grass, and applying repellents.
If you have pets, talk to your veterinarian about flea and tick prevention, screenings, and Lyme disease vaccinations, Leaf says.
When spending time outdoors, you should:
- Wear repellent.
- Cover exposed skin with clothing and appropriate footwear.
- As soon as you get home, remove your clothes and check for ticks.
When you enter your home, you should also check your body for ticks.
Although ticks can attach to exposed skin, they often live in warm, hidden areas of the body. The CDC recommends paying special attention to the following areas when checking for ticks:
- in and around hair
- around and inside the ears
- back
- underrams
- waistline
- belly button
- between the legs and in the groin
- belly button
- behind the legs and knees
- behind or between the toes
For more complete advice, check out USA TODAY’s guide to protecting yourself, your pets, and your home.
