Ticks are a year-round reality across Florida’s diverse landscapes, from dense wilderness and coastal scrub to suburban green spaces and urban parks. The state’s consistently warm and humid climate allows for extended periods of tick activity. Understanding the types of ticks present and the specific diseases they can transmit is the first step in mitigating potential health risks associated with outdoor activity. Ticks are arachnids that feed on the blood of hosts, though activity peaks often occur during the warmer months.
The Most Common Ticks in Florida
Three primary tick species are commonly encountered across Florida, each with distinct features and preferred habitats. The Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) is the most frequently encountered human-biting tick in the state. Adult females are easily recognized by a single, silvery-white or “lone star” spot on their reddish-brown backs. These aggressive ticks are typically found in dense undergrowth and along trails in wooded areas, with nymphs active from late winter through fall.
The Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis), often called the deer tick, is prevalent in humid, deciduous forests where its primary host, the white-tailed deer, resides. These ticks are small, dark brown to black, with adults measuring about 3 to 5 millimeters before feeding. Unlike other species, adult Blacklegged Ticks are most active during the cooler months, peaking in the fall and winter, while the nymph stage is active from spring through summer.
The American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is the third major species, found widely in areas with little tree cover, such as grassy fields, scrubland, and along walkways. Adult American Dog Ticks are reddish-brown with white or silver markings and are typically active from March through September. Recognizing the physical appearance and peak activity periods of these three species helps individuals gauge their risk during outdoor excursions.
Diseases Carried by Florida Ticks
The diseases transmitted by Florida ticks vary depending on the species involved. The Lone Star Tick is the primary vector for Ehrlichiosis, a bacterial infection causing flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Florida reports 15 to 25 Ehrlichiosis cases annually. This species is also associated with Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), which produces a bull’s-eye-like rash similar to Lyme disease, and Alpha-gal syndrome, a condition causing a severe allergic reaction to red meat.
The American Dog Tick is the main transmitter of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. Reported cases in Florida typically range from 10 to 15 per year, presenting with fever, headache, and often a rash that appears several days after the onset of symptoms. Early antibiotic treatment is necessary for both Ehrlichiosis and RMSF, as symptoms alone are often nonspecific.
The Blacklegged Tick is the known carrier of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. The prevalence of this bacteria in Florida ticks is lower than in the Northeast U.S., but the state reports approximately 15 to 20 locally acquired Lyme disease cases annually. This tick species also transmits Anaplasmosis, a disease with symptoms similar to Ehrlichiosis. If a tick bite is suspected to have caused illness, prompt medical consultation is necessary, especially if symptoms like fever or a rash develop within several weeks of exposure.
Prevention and Safe Removal Techniques
Effective prevention relies on environmental precautions and chemical repellents to minimize tick encounters. Before venturing into tick habitats, applying an insect repellent containing 20% to 30% DEET to exposed skin offers temporary protection. Clothing and gear can be treated with products containing Permethrin, a contact insecticide that kills ticks, but this chemical should never be applied directly to the skin.
Wearing light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot, allowing for removal before they attach. Tucking pant legs into socks or boots and wearing long sleeves limits the available skin surface for ticks to access. Staying on marked trails and avoiding walking through tall grass, dense brush, and heavy leaf litter significantly reduces the chance of picking up a tick.
After spending time outdoors, a thorough head-to-toe tick check is important, including checking pets, clothing, and gear. Taking a shower within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce the risk of infection. Ticks often migrate to hard-to-see areas like the scalp, armpits, and groin before biting, so a detailed inspection is necessary.
If a tick is found attached, safe removal must be performed immediately using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, ideally around the mouthparts, not the body. Use a steady, upward motion to pull the tick out without twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouthparts to break off. The tick should not be squeezed or crushed. Once the tick is fully removed, the bite area and hands should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.