An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
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 domesitc animals. Ticks can be found anywhere outdoors, from backyards to woodlands and 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 aware from your skin.
Use Insect 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, including 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.
There are different species of ticks 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, thicket, and leaf litter.
Yes, certain ticks can carry pathogens (viruses, bacteria, or 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 can even prefer certain hosts depending on whether they are in a larva, nymph, or adult life cycle stage. If the host the tick is feeding on has a bloodborne infection, the tick will ingest the pathogen (a virus, bacterium, or parasite) that caused the disease. After feeding, the tick will drop off the host. When the ticks feed on a different host, they transmit the pathogens they now carry by feeding upon a new host. Preventing exposure to 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. They move around by crawling, climbing, or clinging onto vegetation, waiting for a potential host to brush by so that they can latch on.
How long a tick stays attached to a host depends on the species of tick. Some ticks may feed on a host for a few hours or 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. As a general precaution, do not consume meat from any game that was visibly sick and cook all game to an internal temperature of 165°F. to kill any present viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Ticks are particularly active during spring, summer, and early fall. Ticks aren't killed off by cold temperatures. Instead, they become dormant or inactive, but if the temperature is warm enough, they can become active.
Photos of tick prevention on this page courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Photos of the Blacklegged Tick and Lone Star Tick courtesy of James Gathany, CDC.