“Tick season is here,” and this year, that warning deserves extra attention.

The CDC reported that emergency room visits for tick bites are higher than normal in many parts of the country. In all regions except the South Central United States, weekly ER visits for tick bites are the highest for this time of year since 2017. That is a clear sign that ticks are highly active this year, and people should take prevention seriously before spending time outdoors.

For Delaware residents and visitors, this matters. Whether you are walking the dog, gardening, hiking, hunting, camping, heading to the beach, or just spending time in your own backyard, tick exposure can happen quickly. Ticks are not only found deep in the woods. They live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, and many people pick them up around their homes or neighborhoods.

This is not about panic. It is about preparation.

Why Tick Awareness Matters This Year

Ticks may be tiny, but the diseases and conditions linked to tick bites can be serious.

The CDC is urging the public to protect themselves and their families from tick bites because ticks can spread or trigger illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome. Lyme disease is especially important in our region because it is most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest areas of the United States. Delaware sits directly in that mid-Atlantic zone.

A Delaware tick study also shows why this issue should be taken seriously locally. Researchers reported 15 established hard tick species in Delaware, along with additional hard tick and soft tick species that have been recorded in the state.

In simple terms: Delaware has ticks, Delaware has tick-borne illness risk, and this year’s national tick activity is already higher than usual.

Common Tick Species in Delaware

The five most common tick species found in Delaware are:

• Lone Star Tick
• Deer Tick / Blacklegged Tick
• American Dog Tick
• Gulf Coast Tick
• Longhorned Tick

Different ticks can carry or cause different health issues for humans. For example, the blacklegged tick is strongly associated with Lyme disease, while the lone star tick is linked to ehrlichiosis and alpha-gal syndrome. American dog ticks and Gulf Coast ticks can also be connected to spotted fever group illnesses.

Tick-Associated Diseases in Delaware

While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in Delaware, it is not the only tick-associated disease residents should know about. Delaware tracks several illnesses and conditions connected to tick bites, and delayed diagnosis or treatment can make some of these illnesses more severe.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in Delaware and North America. In 2024, Delaware reported 344 confirmed cases of Lyme disease. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria and is carried by the blacklegged or deer tick.

Symptoms may include fever, body aches, fatigue, headache, and a distinctive rash. If untreated, Lyme disease can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system.

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is caused by bacteria in the genus Ehrlichia. In 2024, Delaware reported 26 cases of ehrlichiosis. The main tick associated with ehrlichiosis in Delaware is the lone star tick.

Symptoms may include fever, aches, gastrointestinal upset, and rash.

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria. It is spread by the blacklegged/deer tick. Delaware reported 5 cases of anaplasmosis in 2024.

Symptoms may include fever, aches, and stomach-related symptoms.

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is caused by Babesia microti, a protozoan parasite carried by the blacklegged/deer tick. Delaware reported 6 confirmed cases of babesiosis in 2024.

Symptoms may include fever, aches, nausea, and fatigue.

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses

Spotted fever group rickettsioses include illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tidewater spotted fever. In 2024, Delaware reported 1 case of spotted fever rickettsiosis.

American dog ticks can transmit the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, while Gulf Coast ticks can transmit the agent of Tidewater spotted fever. Symptoms may include fever, aches, stomach upset, and rash.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome is different from many other tick-related conditions because it is not caused by a bacteria, virus, or parasite. It is a tick-associated allergy that can develop after a tick bite.

In 2024, Delaware reported 119 cases of alpha-gal syndrome. The lone star tick is the main species associated with alpha-gal syndrome in the United States. Symptoms may include rash, hives, itching, gastrointestinal upset, joint pain, and dizziness. Reactions may be delayed and often occur two to eight hours after eating mammalian meat products such as beef, pork, lamb, venison, dairy, or gelatin.

Other Tick-Associated Illnesses

Delaware also lists other tick-associated illnesses to be aware of, including tularemia, Powassan virus, and tick-borne relapsing fever. Some of these have had no reported Delaware cases in recent years, but they remain important because prevention is still the best protection.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

The best defense against tick-associated diseases is preventing tick bites in the first place.

Before going outdoors:

• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes in grassy or wooded areas.
• Walk in the center of trails.
• Avoid tall grass, thick brush, and leaf litter when possible.
• If using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

After being outside:

• Check your body carefully for ticks.
• Check children, pets, backpacks, and clothing.
• Shower soon after coming indoors.
• Pay attention to hidden areas like the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, waistline, behind the knees, ankles, and groin area.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you find an attached tick, remove it as soon as possible. The CDC says people should not wait to go to the emergency room just to remove a tick. Removing attached ticks within 24 hours can help reduce the risk of Lyme disease.
Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or crush it. After removal, clean the bite area and wash your hands.

Then, monitor your health.

When to Seek Medical Care

Call a healthcare provider if you develop symptoms after a tick bite or after spending time in an area where ticks may live.

Watch for:

• Fever
• Rash
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Stomach upset
• Facial drooping
• Irregular heartbeat
• Allergic reactions after eating red meat

Do not ignore symptoms just because you never saw a tick. Many tick bites go unnoticed.

The Bottom Line

Ticks are highly active this year, and the CDC’s 2026 data shows tick bite ER visits are higher than usual in many parts of the country. For Delaware, that warning hits close to home.
The state has multiple common tick species, documented tick-associated illnesses, and a long outdoor season where residents and visitors spend time in tick-friendly areas.
The good news is that prevention works. Use repellent. Dress smart. Check for ticks. Protect your pets. Remove attached ticks quickly. And if symptoms appear, seek medical care promptly.
A few simple habits can make a big difference during a highly active tick season.

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/ & https://dnrec.delaware.gov/