05/08/2026
A little education going into the weekend never hurts! 🕷️☀️
Have you guys been seeing the news lately?
According to recent reports from the CDC, emergency room visits for tick bites are at the highest levels for this time of year since 2017 in nearly every U.S. region. Experts estimate:
* Over 31 million Americans are bitten by ticks each year
* Around 476,000 people are treated annually for Lyme disease
The Northeast is seeing the highest spike in tick-related ER visits, followed closely by the Midwest.
So why are ticks so bad this year?
Experts say a combination of:
✔️ Mild winters
✔️ Wetter weather
✔️ Growing wildlife populations
…has created the perfect environment for ticks to thrive.
Warmer temperatures mean more ticks are surviving through winter and becoming active earlier than usual. Increased mouse populations — especially white-footed mice, a major host for blacklegged ticks — are also contributing to the surge.
So how can we protect ourselves?
The CDC recommends:
✅ Checking clothes, pets, and gear after being outdoors
✅ Showering within 2 hours of coming inside
✅ Drying clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes
✅ Removing attached ticks as soon as possible
As we head into peak outdoor season, it’s a good reminder to stay proactive and protect your family, pets, and outdoor spaces.
Side note, you can help the state get more data by taking a photo and submitting to the DOH! Check out the link here:
https://doh.sd.gov/topics/diseases/infectious-diseases/vector-borne-diseases/tick-borne-diseases/tick-id/
(Source shared from Newsweek)
