Ticks are a common concern for anyone spending time outdoors in Tennessee. These small arachnids pose a year-round threat, making it important to understand when they are most active and how to guard against them. Knowing the periods of highest risk and the specific types of ticks found in the region is a foundational step in protecting yourself and your family. This information helps define the risk period in Tennessee.
Defining Tick Activity in Tennessee
Tick season in Tennessee is not confined to a single part of the year because the state’s mild climate allows for near year-round activity. Ticks can become active any time the ground temperature is above freezing, which frequently occurs throughout the winter months. The peak season generally spans from early spring through late fall.
Different tick species have varying activity windows, which contributes to the extended risk period across the calendar. The American Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick are most numerous during the warmer months of spring and summer. Conversely, the Blacklegged Tick, often called the deer tick, tends to be more active during the cooler days of fall and even into mild winter periods.
Common Tick Species and Associated Risks
Three primary tick species are responsible for the majority of human bites and disease transmission across the state. The American Dog Tick is the common vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). RMSF is a serious bacterial illness.
The Lone Star Tick is easily identified by the white or silvery spot on the back of the adult female and is known for its aggressive feeding behavior. This species is strongly associated with Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI). The Lone Star Tick can also trigger Alpha-gal Syndrome, which is an allergy to mammalian meat, in some people.
The Blacklegged Tick is the vector for Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Powassan virus. In Tennessee, the most frequently reported human infections are RMSF and Ehrlichiosis. Understanding which diseases are carried by local ticks helps inform both prevention and post-bite monitoring.
Essential Tick Prevention Strategies
Minimizing contact with ticks requires a multi-faceted approach involving both personal protection and environmental management. Before venturing into wooded or grassy areas, clothing should be treated with permethrin, a repellent that is designed to bond with fabric and kill ticks on contact. Skin repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus should be applied to exposed skin for immediate protection.
Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot a dark tick crawling on the fabric. Tucking pants into socks or boots creates a physical barrier to prevent ticks from crawling directly onto the skin. After spending time outdoors, showering within two hours can help wash away any unattached ticks.
Around the home, landscaping modifications can reduce tick habitats significantly.
- Keeping the lawn mowed short.
- Removing leaf litter and brush piles eliminates the moist, shaded areas where ticks thrive.
- Creating a three-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between the yard and wooded areas.
- Discouraging tick migration onto the property.
Safe Tick Removal and Post-Bite Monitoring
The immediate removal of an attached tick reduces the risk of disease transmission. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible. Pull upward with a slow, steady pressure, avoiding any twisting or jerking motion that could cause the mouthparts to break off and remain embedded.
Once the tick is removed, the bite area and your hands should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Avoid using home remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish, or a lit match, as these methods may agitate the tick and cause it to release potentially infected fluids into the bite site. The tick can be disposed of by flushing it down the toilet or sealing it in alcohol.
Following a bite, the area should be monitored closely for several weeks for signs of illness. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms occur.
Monitoring Symptoms
- Development of a rash, particularly an expanding red area or one that resembles a bull’s-eye pattern.
- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, or muscle aches.
Be sure to mention the recent tick bite to a healthcare provider if symptoms occur.