What Everyone Should Know About Ticks

Ticks may be most active during warmer months, but tick exposure can occur at any time of year. Whether you are hiking, gardening, walking your dog, or spending time in your own backyard, understanding where ticks live and how to prevent bites can help protect you and your family.

Why should you be concerned about ticks?

Ticks are small arachnids, not insects, that feed on the blood of people and animals. They are commonly found in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, but they can also be present in yards, parks, and neighborhoods.

Ticks cannot jump or fly. Instead, they wait on vegetation and attach to people or animals as they pass by.

Although ticks are generally most active during warmer months, exposure can occur year-round, depending on the tick species, geographic location, and weather conditions.

Some ticks can transmit bacteria, viruses, or parasites while feeding. Others may trigger conditions such as alpha-gal syndrome, a potentially serious allergy associated with tick bites.

Different Types of Ticks

Approximately 900 tick species have been identified worldwide, with about 90 species found in the United States. However, only a smaller number commonly bite people and transmit disease.

The types of ticks people may encounter vary by region. Different species can also carry different disease-causing organisms, making geographic awareness important.

Common tick species in the United States include:

• Lone star tick

• Blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick

• Western blacklegged tick

• American dog tick

• Brown dog tick

• Gulf Coast tick

• Rocky Mountain wood tick

  
  

Because tick populations and geographic ranges can change, consult current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or your local public health department.

Illnesses Associated with Tick Bites

More than 20 illnesses and health conditions have been associated with tick bites in the United States. These include:

• Lyme disease

• Anaplasmosis

• Babesiosis

• Ehrlichiosis

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Powassan virus disease

• Tularemia

• Colorado tick fever

• Heartland virus disease

• Bourbon virus disease

• Alpha-gal syndrome

  
  

Symptoms vary depending on the condition but may include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash. Some people may not immediately remember being bitten because ticks can be extremely small and their bites are not always noticeable.

Tick-borne illnesses have been reported throughout much of the United States. While certain diseases are more common in specific regions, tick exposure is not limited to one part of the country.

Understanding Alpha-gal Syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome, or AGS, is a potentially serious allergic condition associated with tick bites. Unlike Lyme disease and many other tick-borne illnesses, AGS is not an infection.

Alpha-gal, short for galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, is a sugar molecule found in most mammals. It can also be present in mammalian-derived foods, ingredients, medications, and other products.

A tick bite may trigger an immune response to alpha-gal. After becoming sensitized, a person may experience an allergic reaction following exposure to products containing alpha-gal. Reactions can range from mild to severe and may include hives, swelling, gastrointestinal symptoms, difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, or anaphylaxis.

Unlike many food allergies, reactions associated with AGS may be delayed, often appearing several hours after exposure.

In the United States, the lone star tick is most frequently associated with AGS. A smaller number of cases have also been reported following bites from blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks.

More than 110,000 suspected cases of AGS were identified in the United States between 2010 and 2022. Because AGS is not nationally reportable and many cases may go undiagnosed, the CDC estimates that as many as 450,000 people may have been affected.

People with AGS may need to evaluate more than food. Certain medications, supplements, personal care products, and medical products may contain ingredients derived from mammals. Carrageenan is derived from red seaweed rather than mammals, but some people with AGS report sensitivity to products containing it. Individual tolerance can vary, so patients should work with a knowledgeable healthcare professional to understand their specific needs.

Pill Clarity helps people with alpha-gal syndrome, allergies, and ingredient sensitivities obtain clearer information about the ingredients in medications, supplements, and other health products.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

No single prevention method is completely effective. Combining several protective measures can reduce the likelihood of a tick bite.

Know where ticks may be found

Ticks commonly live in grassy, brushy, wooded, or leaf-covered areas. They may also be found on animals and in residential yards.

When possible:

• Walk in the center of maintained trails.

• Avoid brushing against tall grass and dense vegetation.

• Keep grass trimmed and remove piles of leaves or brush around the home.

• Check pets after they have been outdoors.

Wear protective clothing

When entering areas where ticks may be present:

• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.

• Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks or boots.

• Choose light-colored clothing to make crawling ticks easier to see.

• Consider wearing clothing and gear treated with 0.5% permethrin.

Permethrin products intended for clothing and gear should not be applied directly to the skin. Always follow the product label.

Use an EPA-registered repellent

Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent according to the label directions. Active ingredients used in skin-applied repellents include:

• DEET

• Picaridin

• IR3535

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus

• Para-menthane-diol, or PMD

• 2-undecanone

EPA registration indicates that the product has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness when used as directed.

Use the EPA Repellent Search Tool to compare products based on the pest, desired protection time, active ingredient, and other preferences.

Check clothing and gear

After spending time outdoors:

• Examine clothing, shoes, bags, and outdoor gear.

• Check pets for ticks.

• Remove any visible ticks before entering the home.

• Follow CDC guidance for drying clothes on high heat to kill ticks, adjusting the drying time if clothing is damp.

Check your body

Shower soon after returning indoors and perform a full-body tick check.

Pay close attention to:

• Around and behind the ears

• Along the hairline and scalp

• Under the arms

• Around the waist

• Inside the belly button

• Behind the knees

• Between the legs

• Around the ankles

Parents and caregivers should also check children after outdoor activities.

What to do if you Find an Attached Tick

Remove the tick as soon as possible using clean, fine-tipped tweezers.

1. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

2. Pull upward using steady, even pressure.

3. Do not twist or jerk the tick.

4. Clean the bite area and your hands after removal.

5. Monitor the area and your overall health for symptoms.

Avoid using petroleum jelly, nail polish, heat, or other home remedies to make the tick detach. These methods may delay proper removal.

Contact a healthcare professional if you develop a rash, fever, unexplained fatigue, muscle or joint pain, difficulty breathing, swelling, or other concerning symptoms after a tick bite. Seek emergency care immediately for signs of a severe allergic reaction, including trouble breathing, throat swelling, faintness, or a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Choosing Tick Repellants and Treated Clothing

Insect repellents are considered pesticides because they are intended to repel or otherwise control pests. The word “pesticide” does not automatically mean that a product kills insects or is unsafe when used properly.

Some repellents are designed for direct application to exposed skin. Others are intended only for clothing, shoes, tents, or outdoor gear. Always confirm where a product can be applied and follow its label instructions.

Permethrin is commonly used to treat clothing and gear and may remain effective through multiple washes, depending on the product. Pre-treated clothing is also available.

Plant-derived active ingredients, including oil of lemon eucalyptus, are available in some EPA-registered repellents. However, a plant-based active ingredient does not necessarily mean that every ingredient in the finished product is vegan or free from allergens. Product formulations can also change.

People with allergies, alpha-gal syndrome, or specific ingredient preferences should review the complete product information and contact the manufacturer when necessary. Pill Clarity members can also request assistance investigating product ingredients when publicly available information is incomplete.

Tick Awareness Matters Throughout the Year

Ticks are more active during certain times of the year, but prevention should not be limited to a single “tick season.” Climate, geography, outdoor activities, wildlife, and changing tick populations can all influence the risk of exposure.

Knowing where ticks live, using appropriate repellents, wearing protective clothing, performing tick checks, and recognizing possible symptoms can help reduce the risk of tick-associated illnesses and allergic conditions.

Co-authored by: Evan McKay Gilbert

References:

• Alpha-gal Information. (n.d.). Alpha-gal Information. Retrieved June 1, 2026, from https://alphagalinformation.org/ 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About alpha-gal syndrome. https://www.cdc.gov/alpha-gal-syndrome/about/index.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About ticks. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/index.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Geographic distribution of suspected alpha-gal syndrome cases—United States, January 2017–December 2022. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(30), 815–820. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7230a2

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Geographic distribution of tickborne disease cases. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/data-research/facts-stats/geographic-distribution-of-tickborne-disease-cases.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Where ticks live. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/where-ticks-live.html

• Purdue University Extension Entomology. (n.d.). Ticks. https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/tick.html

• TickLab. (n.d.). Tick identification. https://www.ticklab.org/tick-identification

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025, March 12). Skin-applied repellent ingredients. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/skin-applied-repellent-ingredients

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025, March 12). What insect repellent should I use? https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/what-insect-repellent

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Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on Pill Clarity is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.

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