Ticks Active Early: High Disease Risk in Connecticut

0:00Scientists in Connecticut are warning that ticks are already active this season. Their state surveillance program collected more than 10,000 ticks across all eight counties in 2025, way up from the usual 5,000 to 6,000. These were gathered from 40 public spots during spring, summer, and fall, then tested for diseases like Lyme, antiplasmosis, bubiziosis, and others. The spike came partly from finding big batches of freshly hatched larvae, which can number 2,000 to 5,000 at once. Black-legged ticks, also called deer ticks, showed up everywhere and are the main carriers of Lyme disease, along with dog ticks. Emerging exotic types, like lone star and longhorn ticks, are now established here too. New London County had the highest-to-dow black-legged tick numbers around 81 per acre, while Lichfield led in nymphs at 28 per acre. Those tiny nymphs are poppy seed sized and tough to spot. Some bacteria hit 68% in adult females from Fairfield County and 32% in New Haven nymphs

1:03with babesiosis close behind, at 14% overall. Lone star ticks can trigger alpha-ghost syndrome, a red meat allergy, and longhorn ones, new from Asia are starting to bite people despite not. Usually doing so. Infection rates match past years, especially along the milder shoreline areas. Let's thrive in yards and outdoors, so check yourself after being outside, where long sleeves and pants tucked into socks and tree clothes with. Permetheran, staying proactive keeps the risks low as we head into peak season. From your city, powered by AI, this is Hartford News Today.