Yes, There Are More Ticks in Delaware This Year — What You Need to Know
It’s not just your imagination—Delaware’s tick season is hitting harder than usual this year. Reports are coming in from across the state, and experts are confirming: more ticks, more bites, and a higher risk of tick-borne illness, especially Lyme disease.
Here’s your essential guide to understanding what’s happening, how to stay safe, and what Delaware officials are doing about it.
🔍 What Types of Ticks Are Found in Delaware?
Delaware is home to 19 tick species, though only 15 are considered stable residents. Among them, three are of most concern to humans:
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Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)
Risk: High potential for Lyme disease
Active: Spring to fall, even winter above freezing
Most common in: New Castle County
These ticks are smaller but pose a higher infection risk than others. -
Lone Star Tick
Risk: Aggressive bite; possible flu-like illness or red meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome)
Active: Early spring to late fall
Most common in: Kent and Sussex Counties
Identified by a distinct white dot on its back, this is Delaware’s most common tick. -
American Dog Tick
Risk: Potential carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Active: Spring and summer
Most common in: Statewide, especially north of the canal
Though less likely to make you sick, it’s still important to be cautious.
🌿 Where Do Ticks Live?
Ticks love:
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Wooded trails and brushy areas
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Tall grass and leaf litter
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Yard edges, ground-cover plants, stone walls
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Damp areas with high humidity
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Beneath decks, in woodpiles, and around gardens
They can be active all year if the temperature is above freezing, but warm, humid summers—like this one—bring them out in force.
📢 2025 Tick Season: Why It’s Worse
Reports on Reddit and local social media show residents are finding more ticks than ever—on hikes, in gardens, and even after quick walks through parks.
Dr. Ashley Kennedy, tick biologist with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), confirms:
“We have collected more ticks by this point in the year than we had at this point in 2024.”
The longer, harsher winter led experts to believe there’d be fewer ticks. But surprise—Delaware is seeing a tick boom.
🛠️ What’s Being Done About the Increase?
Right now, DNREC does not have the resources to spray against ticks like they do for mosquitoes.
Why? Tick-killing products aren’t selective. They can harm helpful pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Instead, DNREC is focused on surveillance and hopes to develop more targeted, environmentally safe control methods in the future.
🧠 How to Identify a Tick (And Not Mistake It for Something Else)
Ticks:
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Have 8 legs
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No wings
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No antennae
Common tick impostors include:
Stink bugs, lice, fleas, weevils, bed bugs, mites, and even some spiders. When in doubt, remember: ticks are flat, slow-moving, and can’t jump.
🏡 Tick-Proofing Your Yard
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Mow your lawn regularly
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Remove brush, leaf litter, and tall weeds
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Move firewood, birdhouses, and feeders away from your home
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Create a 3-foot mulch or gravel barrier between your yard and wooded areas
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Use deer-resistant plants or install fencing to keep deer (and ticks) away
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Place playgrounds and patios in sunny areas, not shady wooded spots
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Remove old furniture or trash where ticks may hide
🧴 How to Prevent Tick Bites
Knowing where ticks live is step one. But once you’re outdoors—or even gardening in your own backyard—you need to take proactive steps to protect yourself and your family.
Here’s how to avoid tick bites:
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Dress smart:
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Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily
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Long sleeves and long pants are best
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Tuck pant legs into socks to block crawling ticks
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Use a hair tie or elastic bands to close gaps in sleeves
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Use tick repellents:
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Apply repellents that contain DEET or permethrin is to be applied on clothing only
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Always follow the product label
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Adults: use products with <50% DEET
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Kids: use products with <30% DEET
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Never apply DEET to infants under 2 months
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Stick to center trails:
Avoid brushing up against tall grass or vegetation where ticks wait to latch on. -
Check often and thoroughly:
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Look under arms, behind knees, in ears, hairline, and waistband
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Showering soon after coming indoors helps with tick checks (but won’t wash off attached ticks)
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Dry before you wash:
Toss outdoor clothing in the dryer on high heat for 5 minutes to kill hidden ticks before laundering.
🚑 If You Find a Tick
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Use fine-tipped tweezers or protect your hands with gloves or a paper towel
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Grasp the tick close to your skin and pull upward—slow and steady
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Do not twist, crush, or squeeze it
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Disinfect the area and wash your hands
Don’t use: petroleum jelly, hot matches, or essential oils to remove ticks—they don’t work.
⚠️ Tick Bite Symptoms to Watch For
See your doctor if, within a few weeks of a tick bite, you experience:
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Fever or chills
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Rash (including bull’s-eye rash)
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Headache
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Fatigue
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Muscle and joint aches
🧬 What You Need to Know About Lyme Disease
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Transmitted by blacklegged ticks
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Can affect joints, heart, and nervous system
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Delaware is a high-incidence Lyme state
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Most cases can be treated with antibiotics if caught early
Early symptoms include:
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Headache
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Fatigue
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Fever/chills
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Red expanding rash (bull’s-eye)
If untreated, more severe symptoms may follow:
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Bell’s palsy
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Heart palpitations
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Neurological issues
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Severe joint pain
✅ Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic—Prepare
Ticks are part of life in Delaware, especially near the coast, trails, and wooded areas. But with the right habits—repellents, yard care, and regular tick checks—you can reduce your risk.
Stay aware. Stay safe. And if in doubt, talk to your doctor—early treatment can make all the difference.
