threats you’re facing and how to avoid or prevent bites.” Common Ticks and Where to Find Them One of the most concerning — but thankfully, identifiable — subspecies of ticks is the Lone Star ( Amblyomma americanum ). This species is identified by its deep brown body and a light yel- low-ish dot in the center of its back. A bite from this insect can cause Al- pha-gal syndrome, which can result in an allergy to red meat, and in severe cases, severe anaphylaxis. Along with AGS, these ticks can also transmit eh- rlichiosis, tularemia, heartland virus, bourbon virus, and southern tick-as- sociated rash illness (STARI).
The Lone Star tick can be found across the entire United States, but their populations are heavily concentrated in the North- east, South, and Midwest regions of the U.S. View the CDC’s Lone Star Tick Surveillance map here.
Lone Star tick (seen above) - This species is identified by its deep brown body and a light yellow-ish dot in the center of its back. To the right is an American dog tick.
Another species to be aware of is the American dog tick ( Dermacentor variabilis ). It’s most commonly found east of the Rocky Mountains, though this subspecies can still make an ap- pearance in western regions. These ticks are most active during the warm- er spring and summer months, with adult females being the most likely to bite humans and warm-blooded ani- mals. They are known carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and tularemia, two potentially serious and even life-threatening diseases if left un- treated. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can produce symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and a characteristic rash. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the disease can lead to organ damage, neurological complications, and death. Tularemia, meanwhile, can infect the skin, lymph nodes, lungs, and other organs, of-
viruses. The challenge? Those few species are widespread
An Inescapable Risk While ticks are most active during warm- er months — typically April through September — bites can be problematic year-round as long as outdoor tempera- tures stay above freezing. In fact, 2026 is slated to be one of the worst years of the decade in terms of tick bites, partly in thanks to the mild winter conditions that kept these pests active for a longer period of time. Part of the arachnid family, ticks are very tiny and difficult to spot, let alone feel, when crawling on the body and clothing. Tick larvae, or “seed ticks,” are so small, they only measure about 0.5 to 1 mm in size and are among the most prone to bite. According to the CDC, many tick spe- cies are found throughout the world , but only a few actually bite and trans- mit harmful pathogens, bacteria, and
across the United States with dense populations wherever they are found. As it stands, 19 states have been des- ignated as very high-risk zones for Lyme’s disease, the most at-risk region being the Northeast. Unfortunately, arborists work in the conditions where ticks thrive the best — moist, shaded environments like grassy fields, thick brush, and heavily wooded areas. Groundsmen are espe- cially vulnerable while cleaning up leaf litter and log piles, while climbers may come into contact with ticks at height in dense canopies. Thierbach encourages all tree care workers to educate themselves about the types of ticks and tickborne ill- nesses common to their region: “By doing so, you’ll better understand what
26 | Summer 2026 ArborTIMES™
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