RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — With the weather warming up, many Virginia residents and visitors may be enjoying the outdoors at increasing rates. Here’s all you need to know about ticks within the state in 2024.

Josh Bernick, vector-borne disease epidemiologist in the Division of Surveillance and Investigation in the Office of Epidemiology at the Virginia Department of Health, provided information regarding ticks in Virginia.

Weather and climate conditions

When asked how weather and climate conditions affect ticks throughout the spring and summer, Bernick said knowing how many ticks will be in the environment from one year to the next can be difficult.

“For instance, since ticks tend to like warm, humid conditions, if we have a mild winter with increased moisture in the environment, like more rainfall, more ticks are likely to survive,” Bernick explained.

Bernick clarified that ticks are less likely to survive in dry places. As a result, leaves in and near wooded areas make great tick habitats because they stay warm and moist.

Further, ticks depend on animals that are in the environment on which to feed. Where there are more animals for ticks to attach to, more ticks may be present. 

“Suburban and urbanized areas with fragmented forests tend to see abundant wildlife and domesticated animals, which could contribute to a rising tick population,” Bernick said.  

 Virginia and tick-borne disease

Bernick said that, in Virginia, the most common tick-borne disease is Lyme disease, with the state ranking among the top 10 nationwide for reported cases.

“The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is the primary carrier of Lyme disease. It is prevalent in higher elevations of the state, such as the Blue Ridge Mountains and Northern Virginia,” Bernick clarified.

The blacklegged tick can also be found on the coastal plain, but they prefer areas with cool ocean breezes that maintain a stable temperature.

Virginia’s most commonly reported tick-borne illnesses are Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and Ehrlichiosis, according to Bernick. Both of these diseases can be serious and require medical attention if left untreated.

The diseases may be vectored by the lone star tick, which can be found from the lower piedmont to the coastal plain. The lone star tick has also been thought to be the possible cause of Alpha-gal syndrome, which can make people allergic to meat.

The lone star tick is predominant in Virginia and neighboring states around Virginia. 

For more information about tick-borne diseases in both Virginia and other states, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website.

Safe practices

Bernick said that ticks can be found practically anywhere in forested areas. Ticks are active year-round throughout the state, even somewhat in the winter.

Despite their prevalence, Virginia residents and visitors can stay safe by doing a tick-check after coming in from the outdoors.

“Early detection and removal of ticks can reduce a person’s chances of becoming ill, and a check can be done before showering,” Bernick said.

To help with this, the Virginia Department of Health offers a survey to identify the species of ticks that are found on one’s skin. The department also provides background information as to which diseases each species may transmit and what possible symptoms to look out for.

The department does not, however, test ticks for diseases.

For more information about the survey, visit the department’s website.