Tag: Tick-borne illnesses

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42% of Tested Ticks Are Infected: What the Data Reveals

Since 2014, TickCheck has tested ticks submitted from across the United States. As our pool of data has grown over the years, one trend has become increasingly clear: a significant percentage of ticks carry disease-causing pathogens.

In fact, our research shows that 42% of the ticks submitted for testing are infected with at least one pathogen. These findings provide valuable insight into the real-world risks associated with tick bites and help improve our understanding of tick-borne disease prevalence.

Co-Infections Are More Common Than Many People Realize

While a single pathogen can pose a serious health risk, our data also reveals that many ticks carry multiple pathogens simultaneously. This means that a single tick bite has the potential to expose a person or animal to more than one disease.

Based on the ticks tested by TickCheck:

  • 42% carry at least one pathogen
  • 30% are co-infected with two or more pathogens
  • 8% carry three or more pathogens
  • 3% carry four or more pathogens

All of TickCheck’s testing data is publicly available and updated regularly. In addition to overall infection and co-infection rates, our data includes infection rates by tick species, life stage, and individual pathogen, along with the total number of ticks tested. By making this information accessible, we hope to support research, increase public awareness, and help individuals make informed decisions following a tick bite.

How Can I Protect Myself?

As always, prevention is the best form of protection. The fewer tick bites you receive, the lower your risk of contracting a tick-borne illness. However, complete prevention is rarely possible. If you spend time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas—or regularly interact with pets that do—you may come into contact with ticks.

While vaccines are available for only a limited number of tick-borne diseases (though more are currently in development), there are several practical steps you can take to reduce your risk. Finding and removing attached ticks promptly, making your yard less attractive to ticks, and testing ticks after a bite can all play an important role in protecting yourself and your family.

Quickly Find and Remove Attached Ticks

Tick-borne pathogens are transmitted as a tick feeds. In general, the longer a tick remains attached, the greater the risk of disease transmission. A tick that has only recently attached is less likely to have transmitted pathogens, while a more engorged tick has likely been feeding for a longer period of time and may pose a greater risk.

Research has shown that some common tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, often require hours—or even days—of attachment before transmission occurs. For this reason, promptly finding and removing attached ticks is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk. It’s a good habit to perform a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors, especially if you’ve been in wooded areas, tall grass, brush, or leaf litter.

Just as importantly, make sure you and your family know how to respond when a tick is found. Not all tick removal methods are safe, and some commonly suggested techniques can actually increase the risk of disease transmission. Using a proper tick removal tool and removing the tick promptly and carefully are key steps in protecting yourself after a bite.

Reduce Tick Habitat Around Your Home

One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to ticks is to make your yard less attractive to them. Keep your lawn well maintained by regularly mowing the grass, trimming trees and shrubs, and removing excess brush or leaf litter. Areas where you and your family spend the most time should be kept open, uncluttered, and well lit whenever possible. Because ticks thrive in cool, moist, and shaded environments, keeping frequently used areas of your yard sunny and dry can help discourage them.

Ticks are a common problem in many parts of the country, and the last thing you want is to create an environment where they can thrive. Regular yard maintenance can help reduce tick activity around your home, and there are additional steps you can take to make your property even less inviting to ticks.

Test the Tick for Disease

While tick testing is not a form of prevention, it can be a valuable tool for helping you respond quickly and appropriately after a tick bite. If the tick that bit you carries a disease-causing pathogen, that does not necessarily mean you have contracted the disease, but it does confirm that you were exposed to a potentially infected tick.

Tick testing is a straightforward process: save the tick that bit you and send it to a laboratory for DNA testing. The lab can determine whether the tick carries any of the pathogens known to cause tick-borne diseases. Some states, including Pennsylvania, offer tick testing programs for residents, while private laboratories also provide testing services. TickCheck is one such provider.

A positive tick test result can provide valuable information to share with your healthcare provider and may help guide decisions about testing, or treatment. This can be especially helpful in the case of Lyme disease, where diagnosing an infection is not always straightforward. While no diagnostic method is perfect, testing the tick itself can provide highly accurate information about whether the pathogen was present in the tick that bit you. TickCheck’s testing methods are 99.99% accurate, providing fast and reliable results when you need them most.

Protect Yourself by Knowing the Risks

Remaining informed about ticks and the diseases they carry is key to keeping yourself, your family, and your pets safe during tick season. Know which ticks are active in your region and understand the potential risks. Staying vigilant and prepared is the best way to enjoy the outdoors safely.

Don’t forget—TickCheck can help you identify any tick! If you’ve been bitten and aren’t sure what species it is, simply upload a high-quality, detailed photo and request a free tick identification. We’ll be able to tell you what you’re looking at. We’ll let you know exactly what you’re looking at. Once you receive your results, you can either research the potential risks yourself or call our customer service team at 1-866-713-TICK to get our opinion. We’re always happy to help!

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing
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Which Ticks Carry Lyme and Other Diseases?

Ticks are a common concern for people and pets across the United States, but not all ticks pose the same risks. With hundreds of species in North America, many feed exclusively on wildlife or thrive in very specific habitats, meaning most are rarely encountered by humans. However, some species are widespread and commonly come into contact with people and pets in everyday outdoor spaces.

The ticks that most commonly affect humans include deer ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, brown dog ticks, and Western blacklegged ticks. While these ticks share similar life cycles and environmental preferences, each carries its own set of potential pathogens and is found in distinct regions of the country.

For each tick species, you can see full details—including feeding habits, physical characteristics, and U.S. distribution maps—by clicking the “Learn More” button next to its section.

Deer Tick (Blacklegged Tick) – Ixodes scapularis

Deer ticks can be found in every U.S. state except Hawaii, but they’re most common along the eastern U.S. coast from Florida to Maine and in the Great Lakes region.

Nymphs and adult females pose the greatest risk to humans, with nymphs causing more Lyme cases due to their small size.

Diseases carried:

  • Lyme disease
  • babesiosis
  • bartonellosis
  • anaplasmosis
  • B. miyamotoi
Learn More

Western Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes pacificus)

Western blacklegged ticks are found along the U.S. west coast, most commonly in coastal California, Oregon, and Washington.

Juvenile western blacklegged ticks feed on birds, small rodents, and even lizards, while adults prefer deer and other large mammals such as humans.

Diseases carried:

  • Lyme disease
  • anaplasmosis
Learn More

Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)

Once mostly confined to the southern U.S., lone star ticks have been spreading north and now inhabit much of the eastern United States—from Texas and Iowa to the Atlantic coast—even reaching as far north as Maine. They remain most common in southern regions.

Lone star ticks are considered one of the most aggressive tick species

Diseases carried:

  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Tularemia
  • Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI, caused by Borrelia lonstari)
  • Alpha-Gal Syndrome (meat allergy)
Learn More

Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

Brown dog ticks are found throughout the entire United States, though they are most common in warmer southern regions.

These ticks pose a significant disease risk to dogs, carrying bacteria that can cause illnesses such as canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.

Diseases carried:

  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Ehrlichiosis (possible)
  • Canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis)
  • Canine babesiosis (Babesia canis)
Learn More

American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

American dog ticks are found throughout areas east of the Rocky Mountains and along a small section of the west coast. They typically inhabit woods, brush, and tall grasses.

Larvae and nymphs feed on small mammals such as rodents, while adults prefer larger mammals.

Diseases carried:

  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)
  • Tularemia
Learn More

Protect Yourself by Knowing the Risks

Remaining informed about ticks and the diseases they carry is key to keeping yourself, your family, and your pets safe during tick season. Know which ticks are active in your region and understand the potential risks. Staying vigilant and prepared is the best way to enjoy the outdoors safely.

Don’t forget—TickCheck can help you identify any tick! If you’ve been bitten and aren’t sure what species it is, simply upload a high-quality, detailed photo and request a free tick identification. We’ll be able to tell you what you’re looking at. We’ll let you know exactly what you’re looking at. Once you receive your results, you can either research the potential risks yourself or call our customer service team at 1-866-713-TICK to get our opinion. We’re always happy to help!

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing
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Understanding Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment

How Do I Know If I Have Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, heart, and brain. It becomes harder to treat the longer it goes undetected, and symptoms can vary. It’s important to remember that not every tick bite leads to Lyme disease. Only deer ticks and western blacklegged ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes it. The risk of infection increases the longer an infected tick remains attached.

Early Signs & Symptoms of Lyme Disease

The incubation period for Lyme disease—the time between infection and the first symptoms—ranges from 3 to 30 days. Early signs can vary, but there are several classic symptoms to watch for.

The most recognizable is the erythema migrans or “bull’s-eye” rash, which often expands from the tick bite and may appear elsewhere on the body. This rash develops in about 80% of infected people within the first month.

Other early symptoms can resemble the flu, such as headache, body aches, fever, and fatigue. Because Lyme affects everyone differently, some may experience mild symptoms while others develop more severe ones. According to the CDC, common early symptoms include:

  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Increasing headaches
  • Bell’s palsy (muscle weakness in the face)
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sleep disturbances

If you have ongoing symptoms or concerns, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider.

Lyme Disease Testing

Serology testing is usually the first step your healthcare provider will take when diagnosing Lyme disease. This blood test looks for antibodies—proteins your body produces in response to infection. The CDC recommends a two-tier testing process, meaning both tests must be positive to confirm a Lyme diagnosis.

It’s important to note that testing has its limitations. If the test is done too soon—within the first 2–3 weeks of infection—it may return a false negative, since antibodies take time to develop. On the other hand, false positives can occur when antibodies from other infections react with Lyme test markers.

Finally, a positive result doesn’t always mean there’s an active infection. The test detects antibodies, not the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria itself, and these antibodies can remain in your system for years after the initial infection.

You can read more about serology testing for Lyme disease here.

Tick Testing as a Diagnostic Tool

Another way to support a Lyme disease diagnosis is by testing the tick itself. If you’ve been bitten, the tick can be tested for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. While tick testing isn’t a replacement for blood tests, it serves as an additional public health resource. A positive result can help you and your healthcare provider act quickly if you suspect exposure and need treatment.

Learn more about tick testing here.

Getting Treatment for Lyme

If you suspect you have Lyme disease, contact your healthcare provider right away. Be prepared to share any test results you have, along with details about when / where you were bitten and any symptoms you may have noticed.

Can I Get a Diagnosis Without Testing?

Yes, in some states, it is possible to receive antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease as a preventative measure, without a positive test. In other areas, a confirmed blood test may be required before treatment can begin. Because of the limitations of serological testing, test results should ideally support—but not solely determine—a diagnosis or treatment plan. Many factors besides the testing should be taken into consideration first, including:

  • Location: Some regions have higher rates of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses.
  • Comorbidities: Patients with multiple health conditions may face greater risks if infected.
  • Age: The very young and elderly are more likely to experience severe symptoms.
  • Tick type: Only deer ticks and western blacklegged ticks carry the Lyme bacteria. Transmission typically requires the tick to be attached for approximately 18–24 hours.

The CDC’s Recommended Treatment Options

Adults:

  • Doxycycline 100 mg, twice daily
  • Cefuroxime axetil 500 mg, twice daily
  • Amoxicillin 500 mg, three times daily
    Duration: 10–21 days

Children:

  • Doxycycline 4 mg/kg, divided into two daily doses
  • Cefuroxime axetil 30 mg/kg, divided into two daily doses
  • Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg, divided into three daily doses
    Duration: 10–21 days

With prompt antibiotic treatment, most tick-borne diseases can be completely cured – in some cases, even before symptoms appear.

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing


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Lyme Disease and Wildlife: How Ticks Spread Through Nature

white footed mice spread lyme disease

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, and awareness of it has grown steadily over the past few decades. Most people now recognize Lyme as a serious concern, but fewer realize just how quickly it is spreading. Once primarily found in the Northeast, Lyme cases are now being reported across much of the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and is even spreading into parts of the southern and western United States. As the disease spreads, staying informed and prepared becomes more important than ever.

But how exactly does Lyme disease move from wildlife into people? Ticks don’t start out infected. Instead, they acquire the bacteria that causes Lyme disease—Borrelia burgdorferi—by feeding on an infected animal host, such as a mouse. Once acquired by the tick, the bacteria can be transmitted to humans or pets during a later bite, turning a simple tick encounter into a potential health risk.

Which Ticks Spread Lyme Disease?

Blacklegged tick / deer tick size comparison

Not every tick’s bite can spread Lyme disease. In the United States, only the blacklegged tick (also called the deer tick) is able to pass on Lyme. Other tick species can still make you sick, but with different illnesses—such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever or ehrlichiosis.

Recent analysis of the results of TickCheck’s tick testing concludes that of 2,000+ specimens, 30% of blacklegged ticks tested carried the Lyme bacteria. It’s important to remember, however, that not every bite by an infected tick will result in transmission of Lyme to the host. These ticks must typically be attached for 18-24 hours before transmission can occur.

Blacklegged ticks can be hard to spot. Unfed ticks are small, flat, and dark in color. As they feed, they swell in size, becoming rounder and more swollen. An engorged tick may also lighten in color.

Wildlife and the Spread of Lyme Disease

Ticks feed on more than 300 different animals- everything from deer and cattle to chipmunks and even birds. Of these animals however, only some are capable of carrying and transmitting Lyme to a feeding tick: mice, chipmunks, birds and shrews.

Juvenile ticks feeding from white-footed mice are especially likely to become infected, making these small mammals key players in Lyme’s spread. Once a tick acquires the bacteria, it can transmit it during future feedings.

Deer, while not sources of Lyme bacteria themselves, play a different role. They are the preferred host for adult blacklegged ticks (hence the nickname ‘deer tick’), and by carrying them into forests, fields, and even backyards, they help expand where ticks can be found.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family

If you live in an area where deer, mice, or other wildlife are common, there’s a good chance ticks are present as well. Prevention is the best protection- here are a few simple steps you can take:

  • Be cautious in tick-prone areas: tall grass, brush, wooded trails, and edges where lawns meet the woods.
  • Check yourself, your kids, and your pets after spending time outdoors.
  • Act quickly if you find a tick. Remember, it usually takes 18–24 hours for Lyme transmission to occur, so removing a tick promptly and properly is the best defense.
  • Use safe removal tools. Carrying a dedicated tick remover ensures you can take ticks off quickly and completely.

By understanding the role wildlife plays in Lyme disease and practicing prevention, you can reduce your risk and stay safer outdoors.

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing

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Tick Removal: What NOT to Do

Good Tick Remover Tools Matter

When it comes to ticks, speed is important- but using the right tool, and using it correctly, is just as critical. A good tick remover is designed to safely extract the tick without leaving parts behind or unduly stressing the tick – all of which can increase your risk of infection with Lyme or other tick-borne diseases.

Unfortunately, outdated advice and home remedies still circulate widely. Here’s what not to do when removing a tick, and why the right tool (even a pair of bathroom tweezers- makes all the difference.

❌ Don’t Smother It

One of the most common myths is that you should smother a tick with substances like petroleum jelly, essential oils, nail polish, or rubbing alcohol to make it “back out” on its own.

Why it’s a problem:
While this method may cause the tick to release, these substances can stress the tick and cause it to regurgitate saliva and/or stomach contents into the bite site. If the tick is carrying the pathogens that cause Lyme or other diseases, this increases the chance that the pathogen may be transmitted.

❌ Don’t Burn It

Another old trick: burning the tick off with a hot match or lighter. It sounds quick and decisive, but it’s neither safe nor effective.

Why it’s a problem:
This method can lead to burns, fire hazards, and more stress on the tick- again, increasing the risk of it regurgitating into the wound. Even if the tick dies, it won’t necessarily detach on its own, and the result may simply be a scorched, embedded tick.

❌ Don’t Twist It

A common method of tick removal includes twisting the tick, to encourage the barbs on the mouth-parts to release.

Why it’s a problem:
Twisting can apply to much pressure to the tick’s mouthparts, causing them to break off and remain embedded in the skin. Not only is this irritating, but it also raises the risk of local infection.

❌ Don’t Use Your Fingers

When you spot a tick, it’s tempting to grab it and pull. But using your fingers is one of the least safe ways to remove a tick.

Why it’s a problem:
You’re likely to squeeze the tick’s body, which can force the tick regurgitate into your bloodstream. Plus, it’s harder to remove the tick cleanly, increasing the chances of leaving parts behind.

The Right Approach Starts with Avoiding the Wrong Ones

Removing a tick may seem simple, but small mistakes can have serious consequences. Ticks are becoming more and more common in North America, and as the tick population swells, so too does the chance of infection with Tick-borne disease. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed:

  • Avoid unsafe removal methods
  • Use tools like fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool
  • Remove the tick steadily and carefully, without twisting or squeezing
  • Clean the area afterward and monitor for symptoms

A few seconds of proper technique can make all the difference.