Tick bites are on the rise in both the UK and US, sparking concerns over Lyme disease transmission. A perfect storm of environmental shifts and human expansion is creating a fertile ground for ticks to thrive, with warmer winters, milder summers, and urban sprawl contributing to the surge.
According to Dr Vett Lloyd, a biologist researching ticks and their pathogens at Mount Allison University, climate change is driving the geographical expansion of tick populations. The alteration of natural landscapes through human development also plays a key role, creating environments where rodents – carriers of diseases like Lyme – can thrive. These rodents support larger tick populations, which can then transmit diseases to humans.
The implications for public health are alarming. In the US, emergency room visits for tick bites have increased significantly this year, with an estimated 31 million Americans bitten annually. The disease transmission rates are equally concerning; US Lyme disease cases rose by 69% in 2022 compared to the 2017-2019 average. England has seen a staggering 20% increase in Lyme disease cases between 2024 and 2025, highlighting the escalating risk.
To protect yourself from tick-borne illnesses, experts recommend being vigilant when spending time outdoors. Ticks tend to reside in moist areas like leaf litter and wait on blades of grass to latch onto passing hosts. They often crawl to dark, damp spots before biting, making regular checks essential. A tick's bite is usually painless due to an anaesthetic it injects, so it's crucial to regularly inspect your body.
After spending time outdoors, showering as soon as possible can help dislodge unattached ticks. Perform a thorough tick check by lightly running your hands over your entire body, paying particular attention to areas behind the knees, navel, groin, armpits, and behind the ears. Unfed ticks feel like small bumps, while engorged ticks can swell to the size of a blueberry. If you find a tick, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping the tick close to the skin and pulling upwards with firm but gentle pressure. This should be done within 24 hours to significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission.