Ticks have become increasingly common in Vermont’s forests and backyards, raising concerns for homeowners (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). In recent decades, tick populations have boomed in Vermont, and with them, tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease have surged (Vermont Department of Health [VDH], 2022a). Thirty years ago, only a handful of tick-borne illness cases were reported annually in Vermont; now over a thousand Vermonters are diagnosed with tick-borne illnesses each year, with cases reported year-round in every county (VDH, 2022a). Given Vermont’s high tick activity and one of the highest Lyme disease rates in the nation (CDC, 2021), it’s crucial for local homeowners to understand what ticks are, when tick season occurs, and how to protect themselves and their yards. In this guide, we’ll cover the Vermont tick season timeline and Lyme disease risks, plus effective tick prevention, yard treatments, safe tick removal, and post-bite steps.

What Are Ticks and Why Worry in Vermont?

Ticks are small parasitic arachnids (related to spiders) that feed on the blood of animals and humans (CDC, 2020). They lurk in wooded and brushy areas, tall grass, and leaf litter around yards (University of Vermont Extension [UVM Extension], 2020). Vermont is home to multiple species of ticks, but the most important is the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick, which is responsible for most tick-borne diseases in the state (VDH, 2022b).

Ticks are a concern in Vermont because they can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and other illnesses when they bite (VDH, 2022b). Over recent years, these illnesses have become a significant public health concern (VDH, 2022a). You can find ticks almost anywhere in the state whenever temperatures are above freezing—most commonly from spring through fall (VDH, 2022a). With Vermont now ranking among the states with the highest Lyme disease rates (CDC, 2021), homeowners must remain vigilant to protect themselves, their families, and pets.

When Is Tick Season in Vermont?

Vermont’s tick season spans the warmer months—generally whenever the temperature is above freezing—but peak activity occurs in spring, summer, and fall (VDH, 2022a). The blacklegged tick has a two-year life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult (UVM Extension, 2020). Each stage is active at different times:

• Spring (April – May): Adult blacklegged ticks that survived winter become active. Nymphs emerge in May or June and seek hosts. Late spring is a high-risk period because nymphs are poppy-seed-sized and hard to spot.

• Summer (June – August): Nymphs remain active, and new larvae hatch. People are outdoors more often, increasing the chance of tick exposure.

• Fall (September – November): Adult ticks seek hosts again in cooler weather, resulting in a second tick bite peak.

• Winter: Ticks can enter a dormant state but may become active on milder days above freezing.

Ticks and Lyme Disease in Vermont

Lyme disease is the most frequently reported tick-borne illness in Vermont (VDH, 2022a), caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted primarily by blacklegged ticks (CDC, 2020). Vermont has consistently ranked among the top states for Lyme disease incidence over the past decade (CDC, 2021).

In addition to Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis are also on the rise in Vermont (VDH, 2022a). However, Lyme remains the most common, with thousands of Vermonters affected yearly. Factors such as milder winters and abundant deer populations may contribute to expanding tick habitats (UVM Extension, 2020). While these trends pose challenges, you can minimize the threat through yard management and personal precautions.

Tick Prevention Strategies for Vermont Homeowners

Preventing tick bites is crucial for avoiding tick-borne illnesses. Combine yard management with personal protective measures to lower your risk.

Yard Maintenance and Landscaping

1. Keep Grass Short and Remove Brush. Mow the lawn frequently and trim overgrown shrubs and weeds (UVM Extension, 2020). Ticks thrive in dense vegetation, so reducing this habitat lowers their numbers.

2. Remove Leaf Litter. Rake up leaves and dispose of them. Leaf litter offers moist hiding spots for ticks (UVM Extension, 2020).

3. Create a Wood Chip Barrier. A 3-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawn and wooded areas discourages tick movement (CDC, 2020).

4. Open Up Areas to Sunlight. Trim low branches and shrubs to lower humidity, which ticks need to survive (UVM Extension, 2020).

5. Deter Wildlife. Use fencing or deer-resistant plants, and remove bird feeders if necessary to reduce rodent traffic. Sealing openings under sheds or in stone walls also helps (UVM Extension, 2020).

6. Remove Tick Hotspots. Keep wood piles and brush piles neat or away from the house; rodents and ticks often hide there (CDC, 2020).

Personal Precautions

1. Dress Defensively. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and light-colored clothing. Tuck pants into socks when in tall grass or wooded areas.

2. Use Tick Repellents. Apply EPA-registered repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Permethrin-treated clothing is also effective (CDC, 2020).

3. Avoid Tick Habitats. Walk in the center of trails and minimize contact with tall vegetation (VDH, 2022a).

4. Perform Tick Checks. Inspect your entire body (including scalp, behind ears, and underarms) after outdoor activities. Check pets as well (VDH, 2022a).

5. Shower After Outdoor Work. Shower within two hours to help remove unattached ticks (CDC, 2020).

6. Protect Pets. Use tick preventives on dogs and cats; talk to a veterinarian about the best options.

How to Remove a Tick

1. Use Fine-Tipped Tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.

2. Pull Straight Out. Apply steady, even pressure without twisting.

3. Clean the Area. Wash hands and bite site with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

4. Dispose of the Tick. Submerge it in alcohol, seal it in tape, or flush it.

5. Monitor. Note the day of the bite and watch for any rash or flu-like symptoms (CDC, 2020).

After a Tick Bite: What to Do Next

• Treat the Bite. Use an antiseptic and observe the area for changes.

• Watch for Symptoms (3–30 Days). Fever, chills, aches, and a bull’s-eye rash could indicate Lyme disease (CDC, 2020).

• Contact a Healthcare Professional. If you develop suspicious symptoms, see your doctor. Early antibiotic treatment is highly effective for Lyme disease (VDH, 2022a).

• Prophylactic Antibiotics. Certain high-risk bites may warrant a single dose of doxycycline, but this depends on factors like attachment duration (VDH, 2022a).

Tick Treatment Options for Your Home and Yard

1. Acaricide Sprays (Tick Pesticides). Synthetic pyrethroids like permethrin or bifenthrin can reduce tick populations (UVM Extension, 2020). Apply them per label instructions in late spring and fall for best results.

2. Tick Tubes and Bait Boxes. Tick tubes containing permethrin-treated cotton target ticks on rodents. Bait boxes apply a small dose of pesticide to rodents (UVM Extension, 2020).

3. Natural and Organic Treatments. Essential oils (e.g., cedar) or fungal agents (e.g., Metarhizium brunneum) may offer tick control, though efficacy varies (CDC, 2020).

4. Professional Services. Lawn care or pest control companies can assess your yard and apply treatments.

5. Pet and Indoor Considerations. Keep pets on tick preventive, vacuum carpets, and clean up indoor areas where ticks might drop off (UVM Extension, 2020).

References 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Ticks. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Reported cases of Lyme disease by state or locality, 2011-2020. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/datasurveillance/index.html

University of Vermont Extension. (2020). Tick management and Lyme disease prevention. https://www.uvm.edu/extension/tickmanagement

Vermont Department of Health. (2022a). Tickborne diseases in Vermont. https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/tickborne-diseases

Vermont Department of Health. (2022b). Blacklegged (deer) ticks. https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/tickborne-diseases/blacklegged-ticks