Tick Season in Illinois: An Overview
Illinois’ tick season is beginning earlier, lasting longer, and expanding to new areas, according to scientists and researchers. Milder winters and earlier springs are contributing factors. Doctors have reported more cases of tick-borne illnesses earlier this year compared to previous years. Ticks are no longer confined to heavily forested areas; they are increasingly found in urban parks, green spaces, and suburban yards.
Impact of Climate Change
Previously, tick season spanned from April through September. However, human-driven climate change has caused warmer temperatures across all four seasons. Winter temperatures have risen more rapidly than others, contributing to the expansion of tick populations, especially in the Midwest and Northeast.
“With climate change, it seems like ticks are able to survive better and get active earlier than what we would usually see,” said Patrick Irwin, lead entomologist with the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District.
Ticks enter a dormant state when temperatures are below 40 degrees, hibernating under leaf litter and snow. They start dying off if temperatures drop below 14 degrees. This year, cold snaps accompanied by snow insulated the ticks, protecting them from harsher cold effects.
Tick Sightings and Early Bites
In the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, deer tick sightings were nearly seven times higher this spring compared to last year. Researchers, like Irwin’s team, are conducting more “tick drags” in suburban areas to collect and monitor ticks.
Ann Miller, a Jefferson Park school social worker, was surprised to find a tick on her dog, Millie, in Crystal Lake. Millie later tested positive for Lyme disease. Though initially untreated, strange symptoms, such as limping and lethargy, prompted further tests confirming Lyme disease. After antibiotic treatment, Millie improved.
Miller admitted to not realizing how early tick bites can occur. Now, she starts tick medication for her dog earlier in the season.
Preventative Measures for Pets
Dr. Kelly Cairns, president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, emphasizes the importance of preventative medication and regular tick checks for pets. Contacting a vet promptly after finding a tick on a pet is advised.
The Risks of Tick Bites and Lyme Disease
Ticks latch onto hosts by “questing,” sitting with outstretched legs in vegetation. They thrive in shaded, humid conditions, feeding on blood for days while potentially transmitting diseases like Lyme disease.
The Illinois Department of Public Health usually reports about 300 confirmed Lyme disease cases annually. Symptoms often mimic flu, and many cases go unreported. The Illinois Department of Public Health notes rising tick-borne disease cases, echoing the national trend reported by the CDC.
Laura Sislow, a St. Charles resident, experienced flu-like symptoms for years before a Lyme disease diagnosis. The disease left her with long-lasting effects, forcing her to leave her career.
Public Health Advice
Preventing tick bites is crucial. Tips include wearing protective clothing, using repellent, and performing tick checks. Dr. Ihab Ahmed from Northwestern Medicine suggests light-colored clothing and tucking pants into socks or using tape to deter ticks.
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