Extended Tick Season and Rising Cases of Tick-Borne Illnesses in Illinois

Tick season in Illinois is beginning earlier and lasting longer, as researchers note a significant increase in tick populations. Factors such as milder winters and earlier springs allow ticks to thrive and survive in greater numbers. This year, doctors have reported cases of tick-borne illnesses earlier than in previous seasons.

Ticks are not limited to heavily forested areas. Increasing reports indicate their presence in urban parks, green spaces, and suburban yards. Dr. Kelly Cairns, President of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, emphasized that ticks do not adhere to city boundaries.

Impact of Climate Change

Tick season traditionally spans from April to September. However, climate change, driven by human activities, contributes to warmer temperatures across all four seasons. Winter temperatures, in particular, have risen rapidly. Shortened winters contribute to the spread of tick populations, especially in the Midwest and Northeast.

Patrick Irwin, lead entomologist with the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, noted that climate change appears to enhance ticks’ survival and activity. Ticks typically lie dormant below 40 degrees, hibernating under leaf litter and snow. They begin to die off at temperatures below 14 degrees. This year’s cold periods were often accompanied by snow, insulating ticks from extreme cold.

February, March, and April experienced above-average temperatures, causing ticks to emerge earlier from hibernation. The Northwest Mosquito Abatement District recorded a nearly sevenfold increase in deer tick sightings compared to last year. More ‘tick drags’ — dragging a white cloth to collect ticks — are being conducted in suburban areas.

Early Tick Bites and Diseases

Ann Miller from Jefferson Park shared her experience of finding a tick on her mini Bernedoodle dog, Millie, after visiting Crystal Lake. Millie tested positive for Lyme disease but initially did not require antibiotics. In May, the dog displayed unusual symptoms like limping and lack of appetite. Further testing confirmed active Lyme disease. After starting doxycycline, Millie’s symptoms improved.

Miller stressed the importance of starting flea and tick medicine early. Veterinarian Cairns advises using preventative medication and performing tick checks on pets after outdoor activities. Immediate veterinary consultation is crucial if a tick is found on a pet.

Questing and Health Risks

Ticks attach to hosts through questing, waiting in vegetation with legs outstretched to grab any passing host. They thrive in shaded, humid environments. Ticks feed on a host’s blood for extended periods and may transmit bacteria such as the one causing Lyme disease. Their small size, often as tiny as a poppy seed, makes them difficult to spot.

In Illinois, about 300 confirmed Lyme disease cases are reported annually. Many cases go unreported due to the flu-like early symptoms, making them challenging to identify. Illinois is experiencing a long-term increase in tick-borne disease cases. Nationally, the CDC noted ‘higher than normal’ emergency-room visits for tick bites in April, with increased rates across most of the U.S.

St. Charles resident Laura Sislow recounted her struggles with Lyme disease, feeling fatigue and symptoms over two decades. Sislow, who was diagnosed nearly a decade after first experiencing symptoms, highlighted the long-term impacts of untreated Lyme disease, such as brain fog and joint pain.

Preventative Measures

Public health guidance emphasizes prevention: wearing protective clothing, using repellents, and performing tick checks. Dr. Ihab Ahmed of Northwestern Medicine advises wearing light-colored clothing, tucking pants into socks, and sealing edges with tape to deter ticks. Though not fashionable, these strategies help prevent bites.