Lyme Disease Risk: How Common It Is in Ticks

Quick answer

• Lyme disease is spread by infected blacklegged ticks (deer ticks).
• Not all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria. The infection rate varies by region.
• In endemic areas, anywhere from 1 in 5 to over half of blacklegged ticks can be infected.
• Early detection and removal of ticks is key to preventing infection.
• Knowing your area’s tick risk helps you prepare.
• Always check yourself, your gear, and your pets after spending time outdoors.

What to check first (do this before you drive out)

Before you head out to that campsite or trailhead, you need to do a little homework. It’s not just about packing the right tent; it’s about knowing the ground you’re walking on, literally.

• Land manager / legality: Who’s in charge here? Is it the US Forest Service, BLM, a state park, or private land? This impacts rules and what’s allowed. Check the official website for the specific area you plan to visit.

• Access/road conditions: Can your rig handle the road? Is it a paved highway, a well-maintained gravel road, or a rocky, rutted track? Know your vehicle’s limitations. AWD or 4WD might be a good idea in some spots, especially if there’s been recent rain or snow.

• Fire restrictions + weather + wind: This is huge. Fire bans can mean no campfires, and sometimes no camp stoves. Check the current fire danger level and any active restrictions. Also, look at the forecast – rain, extreme heat, or high winds can turn a chill camping trip into a miserable or even dangerous one.

• Water plan + waste plan (Leave No Trace): Where will you get water? Is there potable water available, or do you need to filter/purify all your water? And what’s your plan for human waste? Pack it out or know the proper cathole depth and location rules. Leave No Trace principles are non-negotiable.

• Safety (wildlife, distance to help, comms): What kind of wildlife can you expect? Bears, snakes, mountain lions? Know how to store food and what to do if you encounter them. How far is the nearest ranger station or town? Do you have cell service? A satellite communicator is a smart backup for remote areas.

Step-by-step (field workflow)

Alright, you’ve done your pre-trip checks. Now you’re out there. Here’s how to handle yourself to minimize risks, especially when it comes to ticks.

1. Plan your route and stick to it.

• What to do: Have a general idea of where you’re going.
• What “good” looks like: You know your general direction and key points.
• Common mistake: Wandering off-trail into thick brush. This is prime tick territory. Stick to established paths.

2. Dress smart.

• What to do: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks. Light-colored clothing helps you spot ticks.
• What “good” looks like: You’re covered up, making it harder for ticks to reach your skin.
• Common mistake: Wearing shorts and short sleeves in tick country. This is an open invitation.

When dressing smart for tick country, consider adding a reliable DEET insect repellent to your kit. This can provide an extra layer of protection against ticks and other biting insects.

3. Use tick repellent.

• What to do: Apply EPA-approved repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin. Use permethrin on clothing and gear (never on skin).
• What “good” looks like: You’ve got a solid barrier against these little critters.
• Common mistake: Skipping repellent because you think you’ll be quick or you “never get bit.” Ticks are sneaky.

For effective tick prevention, make sure to use an EPA-approved repellent like a DEET insect repellent on exposed skin. It creates a crucial barrier against these tiny pests.

4. Scan your surroundings.

• What to do: Be aware of where you’re walking. Avoid tall grass, leaf litter, and shaded, humid areas where ticks like to hang out.
• What “good” looks like: You’re actively looking for tick habitats and avoiding them.
• Common mistake: Marching blindly through prime tick real estate without paying attention.

5. Do a quick tick check periodically.

• What to do: Every hour or so, especially after walking through brush, do a visual scan of your clothing and exposed skin.
• What “good” looks like: You catch any hitchhikers early.
• Common mistake: Waiting until you get home to do a full check. A tick can easily transfer from your shirt to your leg at camp.

6. Set up camp away from tall grass and brush.

• What to do: Choose a clear spot for your tent and hangout area.
• What “good” looks like: Your campsite is relatively tick-free.
• Common mistake: Pitching your tent right at the edge of the woods or in a meadow full of tall weeds.

7. Check your gear.

• What to do: Before bringing backpacks, sleeping bags, or other gear inside your tent or vehicle, give them a good shake and visual inspection.
• What “good” looks like: Your gear is clean.
• Common mistake: Shoving your pack into the car without checking it. Ticks love dark, cozy spaces.

8. Perform a thorough tick check after activities.

• What to do: This is crucial. Check your entire body, especially underarms, behind knees, in hair, ears, and groin area. Use a mirror for hard-to-see spots.
• What “good” looks like: You’ve found and removed any ticks.
• Common mistake: Doing a cursory check and missing a tick in a hidden spot. This is how infections happen.

9. Properly remove any found ticks.

• What to do: Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk. Clean the bite area and your hands.
• What “good” looks like: The tick is removed whole, and the bite area is clean.
• Common mistake: Squeezing the tick’s body, burning it, or using petroleum jelly. These methods can make the tick regurgitate into the bite wound.

10. Dispose of ticks properly.

• What to do: Submerge in rubbing alcohol, wrap tightly in tape, or flush down the toilet.
• What “good” looks like: The tick is dead and won’t crawl away.
• Common mistake: Just flicking the tick off into the grass. It might survive and find another host.

11. Wash clothes and gear.

• What to do: After your trip, wash all the clothes you wore in hot water and dry them on high heat for at least 10 minutes.
• What “good” looks like: Any lingering ticks or eggs are killed.
• Common mistake: Letting dirty clothes sit around. Ticks can survive for a while.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Wandering off-trail into thick vegetation	Increased exposure to ticks, especially in their preferred habitat.	Stick to marked trails and avoid walking through tall grass or leaf litter.
Wearing exposed clothing (shorts, short sleeves)	Ticks can easily attach to bare skin.	Opt for long sleeves and pants, tucking pants into socks for maximum coverage.
Skipping tick repellent	Higher chance of ticks attaching to you.	Use EPA-approved repellents on skin and permethrin treatments on clothing.
Not checking for ticks periodically	Ticks have more time to find a good spot to bite and potentially transmit disease.	Do quick checks throughout your outing, especially after moving through brush.
Setting up camp in a tick-heavy area	Constant exposure to ticks even when you’re relaxing.	Choose open, cleared areas for your campsite, away from tall grass and dense undergrowth.
Not checking gear before bringing it inside	Ticks can hitch a ride into your tent or car.	Thoroughly inspect backpacks, sleeping bags, and other gear before stowing them.
Performing a cursory full-body check	Missing ticks in hard-to-see areas, increasing the risk of infection.	Be methodical. Check all body parts, including underarms, behind knees, scalp, and groin. Use a mirror if needed.
Improper tick removal	Leaving the tick’s head embedded or causing it to regurgitate infectious fluids.	Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull steadily upward. Clean the bite area afterward.
Not disposing of ticks properly	Ticks can survive and re-infest or find another host.	Submerge removed ticks in rubbing alcohol, wrap them in tape, or flush them.
Failing to wash/dry clothes on high heat	Any ticks or eggs on clothing may survive.	Wash clothes in hot water and dry on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any remaining ticks.
Ignoring local tick advisories	Underestimating the risk in a particular region.	Research tick prevalence and Lyme disease rates for your specific destination.

If you’re skipping tick repellent, you’re increasing your risk. Always apply a quality DEET insect repellent to help deter ticks from attaching.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you are camping in the Northeast or Midwest US, then assume blacklegged ticks are present and potentially infected because these regions have higher Lyme disease prevalence.
• If you see tall grass or leaf litter, then be extra vigilant about tick checks because these are prime tick habitats.
• If you are hiking off-trail, then increase the frequency of your tick checks because you are more likely to encounter ticks.
• If your clothing is light-colored, then spotting ticks will be easier because they stand out against the fabric.
• If you are going to be sitting or resting in grassy areas, then apply repellent to your exposed skin and clothing because ticks can crawl onto you even when you’re stationary.
• If you have pets that go outdoors with you, then check them thoroughly for ticks after every outing because they can carry ticks back to your campsite or home.
• If you find a tick attached to your skin, then remove it immediately using proper technique because the longer it’s attached, the higher the risk of disease transmission.
• If you are in an area with known tick-borne illnesses, then be extra diligent about checking yourself and your gear because prevention is your best defense.
• If you are planning a trip during warmer months (spring through fall), then be prepared for ticks because this is their active season.
• If you plan to camp in wooded or brushy areas, then consider treating your gear with permethrin because it can repel and kill ticks on contact.
• If you have any concerns about a tick bite, then consult a healthcare professional because early treatment is important.

If you plan to be sitting or resting in grassy areas, applying a DEET insect repellent to your exposed skin and clothing can significantly reduce the chance of ticks crawling onto you.

FAQ

How common is Lyme disease in ticks?

The percentage of blacklegged ticks that carry Lyme disease varies significantly by geographic location. In areas where Lyme disease is common, it’s not unusual for 1 in 5 to over half of these ticks to be infected.

What kind of ticks spread Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is primarily spread by the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. These ticks are small and can be hard to spot.

Does every blacklegged tick carry Lyme disease?

No, absolutely not. Many blacklegged ticks do not carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The infection rate depends heavily on the local tick population and the prevalence of the disease in small mammals that serve as hosts.

Can I get Lyme disease from a tick bite that’s not in a “high-risk” area?

While the risk is lower, it’s not impossible. Ticks can travel, and Lyme disease is present in many parts of the United States, even in areas not typically considered hotspots. It’s always best to be cautious.

How quickly can a tick transmit Lyme disease?

Generally, a blacklegged tick needs to be attached for at least 36 to 48 hours to transmit the Lyme disease bacterium. This is why prompt removal is so important.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Common symptoms include a characteristic bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans), fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle or joint aches. Not everyone develops the rash, so watch for other flu-like symptoms.

Should I save the tick if I find one?

Saving the tick can sometimes be helpful for identification or testing if you develop symptoms, but the most critical step is prompt removal. Don’t delay removal to save the tick.

Are there other diseases ticks can spread?

Yes, ticks can transmit other illnesses like Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis, depending on the tick species and your location. Practicing tick prevention is key for all tick-borne diseases.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific campsite regulations or reservation systems. (Check the land manager’s official website.)
• Detailed identification guides for every tick species. (Look for local entomology resources.)
• Medical advice or diagnosis for tick-borne illnesses. (Consult a healthcare professional.)
• Advanced wilderness survival techniques. (Seek out certified outdoor education courses.)
• Detailed maps of specific trails or camping areas. (Use official park maps or reputable navigation apps.)