Spring is back, and so are the ticks. If your family spends any time outside hiking, camping, or even just playing in the yard — this is a good moment to pause and pay attention.
The CDC recently released data showing that emergency room visits for tick bites are already higher than normal in most parts of the country. In every region except the South Central U.S., weekly ER visit rates are the highest for this time of year since 2017.
This isn’t a reason to panic. It’s a reason to be prepared.
The Numbers Worth Knowing
Tick bites are more common than most parents realize. Every year, an estimated 31 million people in the United States are bitten by a tick. Lyme disease alone affects an estimated 476,000 patients annually which makes it the most common tickborne illness in the country.
But beyond Lyme, ticks can carry other serious conditions, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-triggered allergy to red meat that’s only recently started getting the attention it deserves from mainstream medicine.
These health risks aren’t as rare or mysterious as they sound. They’re real, documented conditions that active families in tick-heavy regions need to know about.
The good news is that practical prevention works. No expensive interventions, no special equipment. A few consistent habits can make a meaningful difference for your family.
Before You Head Outside
Prevention is your most powerful tool. Places to start:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent. Products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are recommended by the CDC and safe for children when used as directed. Apply to exposed skin and clothing before heading out.
- Consider permethrin-treated clothing. Permethrin is an insecticide applied to clothing and gear, not skin, and it kills ticks on contact. Used correctly (on fabric only, per label directions), it’s considered safe and effective by both the CDC and EPA. It’s especially useful for kids who spend time in wooded or grassy areas and can last through multiple washings.
- Stick to the center of trails. Ticks don’t jump or fly. They wait on tall grass, shrubs, and leaf piles and latch on as you brush past. Staying on cleared paths and avoiding dense brush reduces exposure significantly.
- Do a full tick check after being outside. This is the single most important habit to build. Check behind knees, in armpits, around the waistband, behind ears, and on the scalp, especially in kids. Ticks are often no bigger than a poppy seed.
- Shower within two hours of coming inside. A quick rinse can wash off unattached ticks before they find a spot to settle in.
If You Find a Tick
Don’t panic or rush to the ER. The CDC recommends removing the tick yourself as quickly as possible using fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin’s surface as you can and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
The reassuring part is that removing an attached tick within 24 hours can significantly reduce the risk of Lyme disease transmission. Time matters, but acting quickly at home is highly effective.
After removal, monitor your child for symptoms in the days and weeks that follow. A bull’s-eye rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain after a bite are all reasons to call a doctor.
Know Where Ticks Hide
Ticks are most common in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas, but they’re not limited to wilderness hikes. Backyard leaf piles, neighborhood parks, and even the edges of suburban lawns can harbor them, especially in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest, where blacklegged ticks (the primary carrier of Lyme disease) are most active.
If your family has pets, don’t overlook them. Dogs and cats can bring ticks inside on their fur. Talk to your vet about tick prevention for your animals, too.
The Point Isn’t To Stay Inside
Outdoor time is good for kids. Full stop. Movement, fresh air, unstructured play, time in nature — these are all things that contribute to healthier, happier children.
The goal isn’t fear. It’s preparation.
When parents are informed (not scared, not overwhelmed, just equipped) they can give their kids the freedom to explore while keeping them protected.
Tick season is here. Now you know what to do about it.