According to reports here at TickEncounter, we’re in the midst of a strong “tick season." We say that in quotes because it's truly tick season year 'round but this is the time of year when many different species are all out at once.

Nymphal blacklegged ticks will be active from now until mid-summer in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic, northeastern, and upper midwestern parts of the country. Since they're only on their second meal of their lifetime, fewer are infected with Lyme disease or other diseases - 15-30% are infected with Lyme bacteria in the mid-Atlantic, northeast, and upper midwest, while 5-10% are infected in the southern part of their range. These tiny bloodsuckers will be looking for you from the ground as they emerge from the leaf litter so keep a close eye on the lower extremities up to the waist for any new "freckles."

Adult and nymphal Lone star ticks are also quite active right now in the southeast, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic regions…even extending into southern New England. They are aggressive human biters and males, females, and nymphs all can transmit some nasty diseases. Studies suggest that about 10% of Lone Star ticks may carry  Ehrlichia chaffeensis , the germ causing human monocytic ehrlichiosis and  Borrelia lonestari , a non-Lyme disease borrelia. About that same % carry  Ehrlichia canis , which can make a dog sick, too. In some people, bites from Lone Star ticks have been associated with development of a condition called STARI (southern tick-associated rash illness--cause unknown), and also development of a curious allergy to red meat . However some good news is that Lone star ticks DO NOT transmit Lyme disease bacteria .

You also are likely going to encounter adult male and female American dog ticks at this time of year. They are some of the most commonly-found ticks around the country, and make up the majority of our summer TickSpotters reports. While they can transmit the germ causing Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, they are rarely infected (between 1 and 7 out of 100 depending on where you live), but like all ticks, the longer that this tick is attached, the greater the chance that it may have transmitted an infectious dose of disease-causing germs. The saliva of American dog ticks, and their close cousins the Rocky Mountain wood tick, can also trigger an ascending paralysis in dogs that resolves shortly after the tick is removed. So, if your pet suddenly develops lameness, make sure you get to a veterinarian and look for a tick hidden in the fur. These ticks are often found wandering in homes, or even hanging out on the sunny side of a house as they warm themselves. But don't worry - they don't infest houses long-term and will die from drying out within a few days.

Brown dog ticks , on the other hand DO infest houses, and are active all year (typically in warmer climates, like the southwest). In addition to quickly infesting homes, they are carriers of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and are capable of infecting dogs and (more rarely) humans. Eradicating brown dog ticks is difficult and costly, and is worth taking the extra time to check your dog after it has been at a shelter, kennel, or any facility where dogs are kept in close quarters.

Continue performing tick checks on people and pets after time outdoors, and definitely continue treating your pet with tick preventative each month! Check out our latest TickNote for more information.