Ticks are arachnids, related to spiders and mites, that pose a significant public health concern throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Maryland’s diverse geography and mild winters provide an ideal habitat for multiple tick species. The state’s climate means the risk of encountering a tick is not confined to a single season. Understanding tick activity is necessary due to this year-round presence and the high incidence of tick-borne illnesses in the state.
The Reality of Maryland Tick Activity
The concept of a defined “tick season” in Maryland is misleading, as activity is governed by temperature rather than the calendar. Ticks, particularly the adult Blacklegged tick, become active any time the ambient temperature rises above 40°F. This means warm spells during winter months can create a continuous risk throughout the year.
The year features two distinct peaks in human-biting activity, driven by the different life stages of the ticks. The most active period is late spring and early summer, typically from May through July, when the nymphal stage of the Blacklegged tick is most abundant. These nymphs are roughly the size of a poppy seed, making them difficult to detect on the skin. Nymphs are responsible for the majority of Lyme disease transmissions to humans. Adult Blacklegged ticks have a secondary peak of activity in the fall, from October through December, and again in the early spring.
Key Ticks Found in Maryland
Three tick species are primarily responsible for transmitting illness in Maryland, each carrying distinct health risks. The Blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), often called the Deer tick, is the primary vector for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis in the state.
The Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is recognizable by the single white spot on the back of the adult female. This species is the culprit behind Alpha-gal syndrome, which causes a delayed allergic reaction to red meat. It is also a known carrier of ehrlichiosis, a bacterial infection.
The American Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is larger than the Deer tick and has distinct whitish-gray markings on its back. This tick is most active from April through early August. It is the main vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) in the region and can also transmit tularemia.
Essential Protection Strategies
Given the year-round activity, protection against ticks requires consistent vigilance and a multi-layered approach. When entering wooded, grassy, or brushy areas, wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily. Tucking long pants into socks and wearing long-sleeved shirts minimizes exposed skin.
Chemical repellents provide an additional barrier against attachment. Products containing at least 20% DEET can be applied to exposed skin for several hours of protection. For clothing and gear, treating them with Permethrin, an insecticide that kills ticks on contact, adds a long-lasting defense effective through multiple washes.
Upon returning indoors, a thorough tick check is essential, and showering within two hours helps wash off unattached ticks. Clothing worn outdoors should be immediately placed in a dryer on high heat for at least ten minutes, as dry heat kills ticks. If an attached tick is found, it must be removed promptly to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission.
The safest and most effective method for removal involves using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible. Apply steady, even pressure to pull the tick straight upward without twisting or jerking, which could break off the mouthparts. Avoid folk remedies, such as smothering the tick with petroleum jelly or using heat, as these methods can irritate the tick and cause it to inject more fluid into the host.