Highlights from the reports
- Tick activity and tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Powassan virus, occur year-round in Massachusetts.
- Although tick activity is weather-dependent, there are two peaks during the year; the first begins in March/April and lasts through August, and the second occurs in October-November.
- The majority of cases of tick-borne disease occur in June through August.
- Tick-borne diseases are most frequently diagnosed in children and older adults.
- Although not every tick is carrying a disease, it is important to take steps to avoid all tick bites.
- To prevent tick bites:
- use insect repellents that contain an EPA-registered active ingredient like permethrin or DEET,
- wear light-colored clothing to more easily spot ticks,
- do daily tick checks, and
- promptly and properly removing any attached ticks.
- Click here for more information on tick bite prevention and how to remove a tick.