Monthly Tick-borne Disease Reports

Monthly tick reports show seasonal trends in reported tick bites and tick-borne disease diagnoses in Massachusetts residents.

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.

Table of Contents

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback