How to Protect Yourself From Ticks Year-Round

Ticks don't take vacations. These bloodsucking creatures stay active in every season, and they're always looking for their next meal - which might be you.

"Humans are outside more in summer so we hear about more tick infections," said Sam Telford, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts University. But he urges caution year-round because "every season is tick season."

That's not just talk. Some Northeastern states including Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are seeing "above average" numbers of American dog ticks this year. New York state is reporting higher numbers of deer tick bites compared to last year too. Check your local or state health department for the most current tick activity levels in your area, as conditions shift season to season.

How Ticks Spread Disease

Ticks operate differently than mosquitos. While mosquitos deliver a quick prick and fly away, ticks are slow feeders with hooked mouth parts that latch into skin and stay there. They'll happily attach to deer, rabbits, dogs, and people.