University of Delaware
08/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2026 07:04
5 things to know about ticks this summer
5 things to know about ticks this summer
Article by UDaily Staff Photos by Solomon Hendrix and courtesy of Madeline Brown and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Parks and Recreation August 27, 2026
UD researchers explain how to avoid bites - and what to do if you find one
If it feels like everyone is talking about ticks this summer, there's a good reason. Delaware ranks among the nation's highest-risk states for several tick-borne illnesses, according to research co-authored by University of Delaware alumna and tick biologist Ashley Kennedy.
Blue Hen faculty, students and alumni in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) work to advance our understanding of ticks and Lyme disease.
Here are five things they want everyone to know before heading outdoors.
1. Not every tick is the same
Part vampire, part spider, ticks are blood-sucking, eight-legged arachnids that can transmit bacteria, viruses and parasites. But not every species carries the same health risks.
Delaware's five most common species are the lone star tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, American dog tick, Gulf Coast tick and Asian longhorned tick.
University of Delaware published this content on August 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 27, 2026 at 13:04 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]