Tick-related illnesses are rapidly rising in Ohio. In 2020, the state had just 415 reported cases of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by the blacklegged tick. That number surged to 2,800 in 2025, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

And Lyme disease isn’t the only tick-related ailment that Ohioans should be concerned about. The lone star tick, infamous for causing alpha-gal syndrome – a potentially life-threatening red meat allergy – has made its way to Ohio.

Here’s what to watch for and how to protect yourself.

Ticks in Ohio

Twelve kinds of ticks call Ohio home, but most tick-related illnesses in the state are transmitted by three: the blacklegged tick, lone star tick and American dog tick. Most encounters with ticks occur in the spring through mid-summer and again in the fall, except for the blacklegged tick, which can be active nearly all year round.

Blacklegged tick. About the size of a sesame seed, the blacklegged tick is found in wooded, brushy habitats and carried by mice, chipmunks, shrews and deer.

These ticks are notorious for spreading Lyme disease, which can cause fever, rash, fatigue, joint pain and swollen lymph nodes. Lyme disease can become chronic, causing long-term symptoms such as body aches, fatigue and difficulty thinking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Blacklegged ticks can also carry anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease. And they are associated with alpha-gal syndrome (the red meat allergy).

Lone star tick. Known for its aggressiveness in biting humans, the lone star tick is more common in southern Ohio but can be found throughout the state. It lives in woodlands with plenty of undergrowth and is carried by squirrels, raccoons, deer, cattle, some bird species, cats, dogs and humans.

It can transmit ehrlichiosis and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) – and its bite has been associated with alpha-gal syndrome.

American dog tick. The American dog tick favors grassy fields, clearings and other areas with little tree cover. It’s carried by small rodents and medium-sized wild mammals, domestic cats, dogs and humans.

This tick transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and, rarely, tularemia.

How to Avoid Ticks

The key to avoiding tick-related illnesses is to avoid ticks themselves. The Ohio Department of Health recommends the following:

Don’t venture into areas where ticks live. Walk in the center of trails. Whether you’re in the backyard or on a hike, avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and fallen leaves. Be especially careful in spring, summer and fall.

Use tick repellents. On exposed skin, apply insect repellents registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and labeled for use against ticks. This kind of protection lasts for several hours. Treat clothing and gear such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Always follow label instructions. Pretreated clothing is available and may provide longer-lasting protection.

Cover up. Wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and tuck shirts into pants. Wear light-colored clothing to help you spot ticks more easily.

What to Do if You Find a Tick

Check your clothes, gear and pets for ticks before going inside. Run dry clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks. If the clothes are wet, dry them for longer.

Conduct a full-body check for ticks, and do the same for your children. Everyone should bathe or shower within two hours of coming indoors.

If you are bitten by a tick, stay calm. Use tweezers to carefully remove the tick, including its mouth parts.

Monitor your health in the following days. While the CDC recognizes a 36- to 48-hour window for a tick to transmit a disease, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says there is evidence that transmission can occur sooner.

Watch for fever and chills, aches and pains or a rash. The earlier a disease transmitted by a tick is treated, the less likely it is that you will have serious complications. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect you’ve been bitten by a tick and experience symptoms.

Looking for a Provider?

If you are looking for a primary care provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has many providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Natural Resources