Related video from April: Preventing diseases from ticks

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Even though tick season is peaking, the threat will continue to linger, especially in states where warmer weather is fueling a surge in tick activity.

Ticks may be tiny, but just one can transmit diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to pest control company Terminix. Since higher tick populations can increase your risk of exposure to such diseases, knowing which states have the most ticks helps you know where to take extra precautions.

A new report from Terminix ranked the top 25 tick-infested states based on the number of tick control services used by residents:  

1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Pennsylvania
5. New York
6. Georgia
7. New Jersey
8. Arizona
9. Massachusetts
10. Ohio
11. Virginia
12. Tennessee
13. Maryland
14. Michigan
15. Kentucky
16. Oklahoma
17. Illinois
18. Indiana
19. Alabama
20. Louisiana
21. Mississippi
22. Missouri
23. Connecticut
24. Maine
25. West Virginia

The states that ranked highest offer warm temperatures, high humidity, and plenty of green spaces where ticks thrive, but climate change is reportedly expanding their range.

"This isn't just a nuisance; tick activity is reaching new levels across the country, posing a serious and growing public health threat," Tom Dobrinska, entomologist and technical service manager at Terminix, said in a statement provided by Reputation Partners. "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." 

While the list featured several states from the Southeast and South-Central regions, the Northeast generally has the largest tick populations, the company said. Common species include the black-legged tick and the American dog tick.

Keep in mind that not all ticks carry the disease-causing pathogens, so disease risk can vary by tick species. Terminix said states in the Northeast and 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. Meanwhile, Southeastern and South-Central states might see more cases of ehrlichiosis or spotted fever rickettsiosis.

If you live in one of top states for ticks, the pest control company said you can help protect your family and pets from these pervasive pests by keeping your yard trimmed, wearing long pants and sleeves outdoors, using EPA-approved insect repellents, and performing tick checks after being outside. For more tips on tick prevention, click here.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/rankings/tn-ky-among-top-15-tick-activity-states/