Ticks are widespread across Maryland, presenting a consistent health concern for residents and visitors. The prevalence of these arachnids is linked to the state’s extensive wooded areas and suburban green spaces. Maryland has experienced a notable increase in reported tick-borne illnesses, making awareness of local species and their associated risks important for personal safety. Understanding which ticks are present and how to avoid them helps mitigate potential exposure to the pathogens they carry.
Common Tick Species Found in Maryland
Maryland is home to several tick species, with three being the most medically significant to humans: the Blacklegged Tick, the American Dog Tick, and the Lone Star Tick. The Blacklegged Tick, often referred to as the Deer Tick, is small (about 3 millimeters unfed) and features a distinct dark brown or black scutum and legs. These ticks are commonly encountered in wooded, brushy habitats and areas with leaf litter.
The American Dog Tick is noticeably larger (approximately 5 millimeters unfed), dark brown, and typically has white or silvery-white markings. This species prefers environments with less tree cover, such as grassy fields and trails. The Lone Star Tick is identifiable by the prominent white “star” spot on the back of the adult female. Lone Star Ticks are frequently found in woodlands with dense undergrowth, particularly in the southern and Eastern Shore regions of Maryland.
Diseases Associated with Maryland Ticks
The primary health risk posed by Maryland ticks is the transmission of various bacterial pathogens. Lyme disease is the most frequently reported tick-borne illness in the state, transmitted almost exclusively by the Blacklegged Tick. Early symptoms, which typically appear three to 30 days post-bite, include fever, fatigue, joint aches, and often a distinctive expanding rash that may resemble a bull’s-eye pattern.
Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis are two other bacterial infections carried by ticks found in Maryland. Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the Lone Star Tick and causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and muscle aches. Anaplasmosis is also carried by the Blacklegged Tick and presents with similar generalized symptoms.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), despite its name, is a concern in Maryland and is primarily transmitted by the American Dog Tick. RMSF is a rapidly progressing illness that begins with a sudden onset of fever and headache, often followed by a rash that appears on the wrists and ankles a few days later. The Lone Star Tick is also associated with Alpha-gal Syndrome, a condition that causes a delayed allergic reaction to red meat.
Tick Activity and High-Risk Environments
Tick activity in Maryland is not confined to a single season; ticks can be active any time the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest risk period generally runs from late spring through early summer, coinciding with the peak activity of the tiny nymph stage of the Blacklegged Tick. Adult Blacklegged Ticks, however, can be encountered during warm spells throughout the winter.
The environments posing the greatest risk are those that provide ticks with cover and hosts, such as deer and rodents. High-risk areas include wooded trails, the edges between forests and lawns, and areas of tall grass and dense brush. Western Maryland’s forested ridges and the suburban Piedmont region are known to have high tick populations and elevated infection rates.
Staying on cleared paths when hiking and avoiding walking through dense, low-level vegetation significantly reduces the likelihood of an encounter. Ticks do not jump or fly; instead, they employ a behavior called “questing,” where they wait on grass blades or shrubs for a host to brush past. Even manicured lawns that border wooded areas can serve as high-risk zones.
Practical Steps for Prevention and Removal
Prevention begins with dressing appropriately when entering potential tick habitats, including wearing long sleeves and long pants. Tucking your shirt into your pants and your pant legs into your socks creates a physical barrier. Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot a crawling tick before it has a chance to attach to the skin.
Using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent is recommended; products containing 20% to 30% DEET can be applied to exposed skin and clothing. Clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin, a repellent that kills ticks on contact. After returning indoors, showering within two hours can help dislodge unattached ticks, and running clothes through a high-heat dryer cycle can kill any lingering ticks.
If a tick is found attached, safe and prompt removal is important to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Tick Removal Steps
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, ideally by its head or mouthparts.
- Pull upward with a steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain embedded.
- Once removed, dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or sealing it in alcohol or a plastic bag.
- Clean the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Monitor the bite site for several weeks for any signs of rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms, which would necessitate contacting a healthcare provider.