Tick Season Is Here - And Delaware Just Found Something New To Worry About

State of DE - Spring is in full swing, and that means more time outside. But before you head into the yard, the woods, or anywhere with tall grass, there's something important you should know. Delaware health officials are urging residents to take ticks seriously this season - and for good reason.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Division of Public Health (DPH) are reminding people that ticks are not just a warm-weather problem. They are active in Delaware year-round and can be found in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas.

This year comes with a new concern. Delaware has confirmed its first-ever detection of Powassan virus in a tick. Powassan is rare, but it can cause severe illness and can even be fatal in some cases.

What makes Powassan especially alarming is how fast it can spread. Unlike other tick-borne illnesses, a tick doesn't need to be attached for long. Research suggests the virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes.

"Powassan virus shows that there's no safe length of time to have a tick biting you," said State Tick Biologist Dr. Ashley Kennedy of DNREC's Mosquito Control Section. "And blacklegged ticks, the main vector of Powassan virus in our region, are active year-round."

Another major difference between Powassan and other tick-borne illnesses is that there is no specific treatment or cure. Lyme disease and similar bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Powassan, being a virus, cannot.

The blacklegged tick is the species officials are most concerned about. It can carry several different pathogens, and a higher percentage of them are infected compared to other local tick species. Delaware has 19 identified tick species, but only a handful commonly bite people - the blacklegged tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick are the main culprits.

Tick-borne illness is not new to Delaware. More than 350 cases of Lyme disease - the most common tick-borne disease in the state were reported in 2025 alone. Since 2024, more than 200 cases of alpha-gal syndrome, another tick-borne illness, have also been reported.

"Defending yourself from ticks is not just about comfort, it's about health," said DPH Director Steven Blessing. "By following these simple, effective steps, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from tick bites and tick-borne illnesses, ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer."

So what can you do to protect yourself and your family? The steps are simple and don't take much time.

When heading into wooded or grassy areas, wear long pants and long sleeves. Tuck your pants into your socks and stick to the center of trails when possible. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they reach your skin.

Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. When applying repellent to children, avoid the face, hands, and any areas near the eyes or mouth.

After spending time outside, do a full-body tick check on yourself, your kids, and your pets. Ticks love to hide in warm spots, behind the knees, in the armpits, and around the groin area. Take a shower right away to help wash off any ticks that haven't attached yet.

If you find a tick, remove it carefully with fine-tipped tweezers. Grab it as close to the skin as possible and pull gently. Do not try to burn it off or use petroleum jelly to get it to let go.

In your yard, keep grass mowed short and clear out leaf piles. A barrier of gravel or wood chips between your lawn and any wooded areas can also help keep ticks away from the spaces where your family spends time. Pet owners should use tick prevention products on their animals throughout the entire year.

If you are bitten, clean the area with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer after removing the tick. Anyone who develops a fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite should contact their doctor right away.

Officials also recommend saving the tick or snapping a photo of it. You can submit photos through the Tick Interaction Report at de.gov/ticks to get help identifying the species and understanding your risk.

For more information on ticks and tick-borne diseases, visit de.gov/ticks or the DPH tick-borne disease webpage.