ONE COMMON PEST, COUNTLESS DANGERS — TICKS SPREAD DEADLY DISEASES ACROSS THE U.S.

By The Blogging Hounds As summer heats up, Americans are facing a silent, crawling threat: ticks. These tiny parasites aren’t just a nuisance—they are carriers of a long list of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause severe and sometimes deadly conditions. From Lyme disease to Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and the Powassan virus, tick-borne illnesses…

By The Blogging Hounds

As summer heats up, Americans are facing a silent, crawling threat: ticks. These tiny parasites aren’t just a nuisance—they are carriers of a long list of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause severe and sometimes deadly conditions. From Lyme disease to Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and the Powassan virus, tick-borne illnesses are on the rise, and most people have no idea of the risk.

TICKS: WALKING DISEASE FACTORIES
Ticks feed on wild rodents, deer, pets, and humans, acting as living transmission vectors for dangerous pathogens. When an infected tick latches onto a human host, bacteria, viruses, or parasites can be passed directly into the bloodstream. The Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) spreads Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Powassan virus, while Lone Star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) transmit Ehrlichiosis and other serious illnesses. American Dog ticks, Rocky Mountain Wood ticks, and Brown Dog ticks further expand the web of potential infection, making virtually every brush, tall grass, or woodland area a potential hazard.

RAPIDLY RISING TICK POPULATION
Thanks to a wet and warm spring, tick numbers are skyrocketing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports emergency room visits for tick bites are at the highest levels since 2019, with the Northeast hardest hit. June 2025 data shows 229 tick-related ER visits per 100,000 patients, up from 167 per 100,000 in June 2024. “Most people don’t realize that ticks transmit more viruses and diseases than any other animal in the world,” says tick expert Dr. Bente. He warns that the bugs are “sneaky opportunists,” lying in wait on grasses or bushes for a host to pass by.

PREVENTION IS CRITICAL
Health officials emphasize that avoiding tick bites is the first line of defense. Long-sleeved clothing, insect repellents, and prompt showers after outdoor activity are essential. Dr. Bente calls thorough tick checks the “most critical prevention measure,” urging people to inspect warm areas where ticks often hide: scalp, groin, armpits, behind the ears, knees, and waistband. Early detection can mean the difference between a minor encounter and a potentially life-threatening infection.

Ticks are more than a seasonal nuisance—they are vectors of a growing public health crisis. As populations expand and climate patterns change, the risk of tick-borne diseases continues to climb, making vigilance and prevention a summer necessity.

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