Ticks can be active throughout the entire year, so it’s crucial to check for and remove these parasites as soon as possible—especially after spending time outdoors hiking, gardening, or enjoying nature.
“People tend to spend more time outside during the summer, which is why we hear more about tick-related infections then,” explained Sam Telford, an infectious disease expert at Tufts University. However, he stresses that “every season is tick season,” so caution is needed year-round.
Tick populations can vary greatly depending on the region. This year, some Northeastern states such as Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are experiencing “above average” numbers of American dog ticks, according to Telford.
Additionally, New York state has reported an increase in deer tick bites this year compared to last, noted Saravanan Thangamani, a researcher specializing in tick-borne diseases at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
