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Ticks are external parasites related to spiders that feed on the blood of people and animals. When they bite and feed upon hosts, ticks can transmit pathogens (bacteria, viruses or parasites) that can cause diseases in humans, wildlife and domestic animals. Ticks can be found anywhere outdoors- even in your own backyard! They are most active from late spring to early fall.
Tick Habitat
Be cautious in tick habitat. Ticks are often found in brush, tall grass and woodlands.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wear pants and long sleeves. Tuck pants into socks to keep ticks away from your skin.
Use Repellent
EPA-registered products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of citronella can deter ticks.
Treat Clothes and Gear
Treat clothes and gear with 0.5% permethrin. Do not apply directly to skin.
Walk in Center of Trails
Stick to the center of trails as much as possible to avoid brushing against ticks.
Protect Pets
Check pets for ticks and use tick prevention medicine.
Check your entire body for ticks after being outdoors, even if you were just in your own backyard. Ticks may be found:
If you develop a rash, fever, muscle or joint pain, headaches, or other signs of illness after removing a tick or you suspect you may have bitten by a tick, see your doctor.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to remove it as quickly as possible.
Different species of ticks are found throughout Kentucky
Learn More
Please contact our Information Center at 1-800-858-1549 or Info.Center@ky.gov if you have any questions not answered below.
Ticks are small parasitic arachnids. They feed on the blood of mammals, reptiles and birds. Ticks can carry pathogens (viruses, bacteria and parasites) that can be transferred to the host that they are feeding on.
Ticks are often found in woodlands, tall grass, bushes, thickets and leaf litter.
Yes, certain ticks can carry pathogens (viruses, bacteria and parasites) that can make people and animals sick. Learn more about ticks in Kentucky and the diseases that they can carry.
Ticks transmit disease through the process of feeding on hosts. Different tick species prefer different hosts, and they may also change their host preference as they move through their life cycle stages (larva, nymph or adult). If the tick feeds on a host that has has a bloodborne infection, the tick will ingest the pathogen (a virus, bacterium or parasite) that caused the disease. The tick then spreads that pathogen to the other hosts that it feeds on. This rate of spread can become dangerous quickly, which is why preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases.
No, ticks don't fly. They are related to spiders and don't have wings. Ticks also don't jump, but instead can move around by crawling or climbing. They also may cling to vegetation, waiting to move onto a potential host brushing by.
How long a tick stays attached to a host depends on the species of tick. Some ticks may only feed on a host for a few hours, while others can remain attached for a few weeks.
No, there is no evidence to suggest that you can get tickborne diseases from consuming game that was infested with ticks or suffering from a tickborne illness. However, as a general precaution, do not consume meat from any game that was visibly sick. Also, make sure to cook all game to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any present viruses, bacteria or parasites.
Ticks may be active during the winter, depending on the temperatures. Ticks aren't killed off by cold temperatures; instead, they become dormant or inactive. This means that while they are particularly active during warmer seasons, they can also become active in the winter if the temperature is warm enough.
University of Kentucky Department of Entomology
Kentucky Department for Public Health
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