Tick populations are a significant concern across the United States, especially in regions where they thrive due to specific environmental conditions. These small but dangerous pests are known to carry diseases like Lyme disease, which can have a severe impact on the health of humans, pets, and farm animals.
At Pest Control Unlimited, we use proven approaches to eliminate tick infestations and help prevent them from returning. An effective pest control program administered at the right times can significantly reduce tick populations on your property, helping safeguard your family, staff, or customers. Call us today at 1-888-649-9919 to learn more.
In this blog, we provide detailed information on ticks, their habits, and the states with the most recorded tick-borne illnesses.
Where Ticks Live, Nest, And Thrive
Ticks are more than just nuisances that can quickly cause concern. Classified as arachnids, ticks indiscriminately attach themselves to human and animal hosts.
These pests can spread a multitude of serious illnesses, such as:
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Lyme Disease
- Powassan Virus Disease
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Tularemia
These conditions can result in various symptoms, from fever and fatigue to dizziness and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, tick-borne illnesses can lead to serious complications, such as organ failure, paralysis, and even death. For this reason, tick control should be a top priority for homes and businesses.
Ticks can bite year-round, but they are most active during the summer, so it’s essential to be extra vigilant during the warmer months. What’s more, certain areas can harbor particularly large populations of ticks. These “worst states for ticks” typically have warm, humid climates and dense vegetation.
Knowing where these pests live can help safeguard your family against a bite. While ticks can be found anywhere, there are some outdoor hotspots they enjoy more than others. These pests prefer moist and shady ground-level areas, making any woods around your property perimeter a major attraction. Ticks will also cling to taller grasses, shrubs, and bushes.
The 10 Worst States for Ticks:
The state you live in can also impact your risk of contracting a tick-borne disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain states have significantly high numbers of cases of Lyme disease, tuleria, and other tick-borne illnesses. While it’s impossible to determine the states with the most ticks, we can infer that areas with higher rates of tick-borne diseases likely have larger tick populations.
If you’re curious about what state has the most ticks, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve listed the top 10 worst states for ticks in the U.S. based on data gathered by the CDC from 2019 to 2022.
10. Maryland
The total number of recorded sicknesses from these dreadful bugs is 5,654.
9. West Virginia
West Virginia is ninth with 5,699 cases of Lyme disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis, and other tick-borne illnesses.
8. Rhode Island
This New England state has 5,885 recorded cases of tick-borne illnesses, the most common of which include anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
7. Minnesota
This Midwestern state has a significantly higher number of cases than previous states, with 7,822 recorded sicknesses.
6. Massachusetts
Despite being one of the smaller states, Massachusetts still has an exceptionally high number of tick-related illnesses: 8,604 cases in the Bay State.
5. Maine
Despite being the largest state in New England by total area, Maine is sparsely populated, and 90% of its land has trees. This may account for its high number of tick-borne disease cases: 9,804.
4. Wisconsin
Minnesota’s eastern neighbor is the fourth-worst place for ticks. According to the CDC, ticks made 13,242 people sick in that period.
3. New Jersey
New Jersey logged 16,683 total cases of diseases from these crawling parasites.
2. Pennsylvania
The Keystone State ranks second on the list of worst states for ticks in the U.S., with a whopping 25,456 cases of tick-borne diseases.
1. New York
What state has the most ticks? Number 1 on this list is the Empire State with 33,939 recorded cases of tick-borne diseases.
Pest Control Unlimited: Professional Tick Control Services
Pest Control Unlimited offers professional tick control services to home and business owners throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We have one-time treatment and quarterly program options against ticks and other pests. Contact us today for a no-risk property evaluation to determine the right tick control approach for your yard.
