Tick-Borne Disease Facts
Ticks are found throughout the United States and can carry a range of pathogens that affect people, pets, and wildlife. More than 90 tick species exist in the U.S., but only a handful are known to transmit disease. Ticks require a blood meal to survive and often feed on small mammals, deer, birds, and pets. Some species readily attach to dogs, which is why checking pets after outdoor activity is so important.
Ticks are not insects, they are arachnids, closely related to spiders and mites. Unlike mosquitoes, which bite and leave, ticks attach firmly to their host and remain there for an extended period if not found and removed. This is why regular tick checks, especially after spending time in wooded or brushy areas, are an important preventive step.
Keeping your yard maintained, reducing shaded moisture pockets, and using a natural tick control service can help lower tick activity in outdoor areas.
Common Types of Tick-Borne Diseases in the U.S. (Educational Overview Only)
Tick-borne diseases occur in different regions of the country and are transmitted by different species of ticks. Below is a general overview of the major tick-borne diseases recognized in the United States. For symptoms, treatment, or medical guidance, always refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or a licensed healthcare provider.
Lyme Disease
The most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the U.S. It is associated primarily with the blacklegged tick and is found most often in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest. Lyme disease is a significant public health focus, and the CDC provides extensive information on prevention and awareness.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
RMSF is associated with the American dog tick, brown dog tick, and Rocky Mountain wood tick, depending on region. It is reported most frequently in parts of the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwestern U.S. The CDC offers detailed educational resources about its transmission and regional distribution.
Ehrlichiosis
Spread primarily by the lone star tick, ehrlichiosis is most common in the Southcentral and Eastern United States. Public health agencies track cases and provide information for residents in higher-risk regions.
Babesiosis
Babesiosis occurs mainly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest and is transmitted by the blacklegged tick. Public health organizations monitor regional cases and give guidance on prevention.
Colorado Tick Fever
This rare tick-borne virus is associated with the Rocky Mountain wood tick and is found mostly in higher-elevation regions of the Western United States. Educational information is available through CDC and state health departments.
Tick Management Helps Reduce Risk
Tick management helps reduce risk by lowering the number of ticks in the outdoor areas where people and pets spend time. Ticks rely on shaded, humid vegetation to survive, and these pockets often form in mulch beds, leaf litter, groundcover, and fence lines. By treating the vegetation ticks move through and improving yard conditions, you make your space less attractive to them and reduce the likelihood of encountering ticks while enjoying your yard.
- Ticks rely on shaded, moist vegetation to survive.
- Yard maintenance helps remove common tick habitats.
- Treating shrubs, groundcover, and shaded edges is most effective.
- Reducing tick presence lowers the chance of contact outdoors.
- Refer to CDC for medical guidance about tick-borne diseases.
Tick Behavior 101
Ticks are small arachnids that depend on vegetation, shade, and moisture to survive. They cannot jump or fly, so they attach to passing hosts by climbing plants and “questing” with their front legs extended. Wildlife and pets commonly carry ticks into yards, where they settle into cool, protected areas like mulch beds, leaf litter, and dense plants. By understanding how ticks move, hide, and attach, homeowners can take simple steps to make their yards less inviting to them.
- Ticks do not jump or fly; they climb and wait on vegetation.
- Wildlife and pets bring ticks into yards.
- Ticks stay low and prefer humid, shaded areas.
- They attach for long periods if not removed.
- Ticks can be active whenever temperatures rise above ~40°F.