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Ticks in Delaware
Deer ticks carry Lyme. Found in tall grass, leaf litter and wooded edges.
| Peak season | Apr – Jul, Oct – Nov |
|---|---|
| Size | Poppy seed to 1/4 inch |
| Risk | Health risk — Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness |
| Who treats it | Mosquito & Pest Authority (sponsor) |
How to identify them
Flat, oval, eight legs. Blacklegged (deer) tick nymphs are the size of a poppy seed and peak in late spring; adults are active again in October and November and on warm winter days. Lone star ticks have a white dot on the back.
Ticks in Delaware
Blacklegged, lone star and American dog ticks are all found in Delaware. Lone star tick bites are linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy. Wooded lot edges, deer trails and leaf litter are the hot spots.
When they’re active
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What you can do now
- Keep grass short and clear leaf litter along wooded edges.
- Check yourself, kids and pets after time outdoors.
- Remove an attached tick with fine tweezers close to the skin; save it in a sealed bag.
When to call a pro
Call a pro if you regularly find ticks on family or pets, or your yard backs onto woods or fields. Barrier treatments target the edges where ticks wait.
Ticks: common questions
Can I get a tick bite in the fall or winter?
Yes. Adult blacklegged ticks are active in October and November and on warm winter days. Keep checking yourself, kids and pets after time outdoors.
What should I do if I find a tick on my dog?
Remove it with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight out close to the skin, and ask your vet about tick protection and what to watch for. Save the tick in a sealed bag in case your vet wants to see it.
Can a yard treatment get rid of ticks?
No treatment can promise that. Barrier treatments target the wooded edges and shady areas where ticks wait and can reduce them, but repellent and tick checks are still important.
Where in Delaware
Where ticks rank on each county’s top-pest list:
- New Castle County Common
- Kent County Top concern
- Sussex County Top concern
Towns where ticks are on the local top-pest list: