Tick Season Alert: Terminix Identifies 25 High-Risk States for Increased Tick Activity

States like California, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania and New York are at the top of this list due to their warm climates, high humidity and abundance of green spaces. Notably, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. rank as the top five tick-infested cities in the country, underscoring that even densely populated urban areas are not immune to tick activity. Overall, the Northeastern region of the U.S. generally experiences the highest populations of ticks, with common species including the black-legged tick and the American dog tick.

"This isn't just a nuisance; tick activity is reaching new levels across the country, posing a serious and growing public health threat," said Tom Dobrinska, Technical Service Manager at Terminix. "Climate change continues to increase tick populations. As winters become milder and warm seasons increase in length, tick survival and risk for human exposure increase significantly."

Top 10 Most Tick-Infested States:

1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Pennsylvania
5. New York
6. Georgia
7. New Jersey
8. Arizona
9. Massachusetts
10. Ohio

States Most Impacted by Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases
While not all ticks carry illness-causing pathogens, disease risk can vary by tick species. According to the CDC, Northeastern states like Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, as well as parts of the Upper Midwest, are often identified as the worst places for ticks in the U.S. due to their high rates of Lyme disease cases. Southeast and Southcentral U.S. might see more cases of ehrlichiosis or spotted fever rickettsiosis.

"Scientists and public health experts are constantly researching ticks to better understand the threats they pose," said Dobrinska. "As these experts continue to monitor tick activity and disease spread, it is essential for the public to stay informed about the dangers and know how to prevent tick bites."

Tips for Tick Prevention
To protect against tick bites and tick-borne illness, Terminix recommends the following steps:

• Avoid tick-infested areas: Ticks prefer wooded areas with high grass and abundant leaf litter; wear long sleeves and pants whenever you plan to go on a hike or walk through forested areas.
• Inspect yourself and pets: After returning home from being outdoors, conduct a full body check, especially under the arms, around the ears and on the back of the knees. Finding them before they bite will help prevent being infected with any diseases they may be carrying.
• If you find a tick bite: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. After removal, clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, and dispose of the tick by flushing or sealing it in tape. It's also best to consult with a medical provider for extra precaution.

For the full 2024 Tick Infestation Report and comprehensive prevention strategies, visit Terminix.com/Ticks.

About Rentokil Terminix
Rentokil Terminix is the leading provider of residential and commercial services in North America. The company provides health, hygiene, and environment services, and pest management services, including protection against termites, mosquitoes, rodents and other pests. The company is part of Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE: RTO), one of the largest business services companies in the world. To learn more, visit EnhancedPestControl.com, or linkedin.com/company/rentokilterminix.

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SOURCE Terminix