Our summer months are full of everyday checks. Sunscreen? Check. Water bottle? Check. But, if a tick check is not your routine, it may come back to bite you.
Ticks are generally more active from April through October, and this year a particularly dangerous species is popping up more than ever in Connecticut. Lone star ticks are commonly found in southern, southeastern, and central-southern states but have been exploding in New London, New Haven, and Fairfield counties. Females have an identifying white dot in the center of their backs while males may have white streaks around their edges. Whereas deer ticks tend to wait around on tall grass in wooded areas, Lone star ticks are hunters, crawling towards the target (you) in grassy, sunny areas.
According to Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the number of lone star ticks collected and tracked jumped from just 72 out of 4,346 in 2024 to 2,570 out of 10,609 in 2025. That’s an increase from nearly 2% to 24%.
Those infected can have a range of reactions (which may take hours to kick in) from mild such as hives to severe, like anaphylactic shock.
These ticks can also transmit bacteria that can cause ehrlichiosis, a dangerous illness with flu-like symptoms.
From there, monitor any symptoms, such as fever, difficulty breathing, muscle or joint pain, and a bulls-eye-like rash, for the next 30 days.
If you have trouble removing the tick, head to a Stamford Health immediate care clinic or Stamford Hospital’s emergency department (ED). So far in 2026, tick bite-related ED visits in the Northeast already have surpassed the total number for 2025.
Our highly trained physicians can help safely remove the tick, clean the area, and may administer precautionary antibiotics to prevent infection.
Apply tick repellent with DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil to any exposed skin. Or consider clothing treated with permethrin, an insect-repellent that lasts through several washes.
When you’re outside, try to avoid woodsy areas, tall grass areas, and going off trail. Since ticks are everywhere, once you head back indoors, take a shower so you can perform a tick check as soon as possible.
Ticks are generally more active from April through October, and this year a particularly dangerous species is popping up more than ever in Connecticut. Lone star ticks are commonly found in southern, southeastern, and central-southern states but have been exploding in New London, New Haven, and Fairfield counties. Females have an identifying white dot in the center of their backs while males may have white streaks around their edges. Whereas deer ticks tend to wait around on tall grass in wooded areas, Lone star ticks are hunters, crawling towards the target (you) in grassy, sunny areas.
According to Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the number of lone star ticks collected and tracked jumped from just 72 out of 4,346 in 2024 to 2,570 out of 10,609 in 2025. That’s an increase from nearly 2% to 24%.
What is the alpha-gal syndrome?
Unlike the more commonly found blacklegged deer ticks (which are responsible for Lyme disease), lone star ticks are associated with Alpha-gal syndrome. Alpha-gal is a molecule found in mammals, but not people. It can also be found in some ticks, like Lone star ticks. When a tick bites, it can transfer alpha-gal to a person’s blood, and the body can trigger an allergic reaction when people eat red meat or are exposed to other products made from mammals.Those infected can have a range of reactions (which may take hours to kick in) from mild such as hives to severe, like anaphylactic shock.
These ticks can also transmit bacteria that can cause ehrlichiosis, a dangerous illness with flu-like symptoms.
What to do if you suspect a tick bite:
After spending time outdoors, check clothing, your body, and your children’s bodies, especially folds of the skin like the backs of the knees, the belly button, under the arms as well as in and around the head. If you find a tick (Lone Star or any other kind), use tweezers to pull it upward and out with steady pressure. Clean the area with disinfectant and then place it in a zip-topped bag to submit to your local health department for identification and testing.From there, monitor any symptoms, such as fever, difficulty breathing, muscle or joint pain, and a bulls-eye-like rash, for the next 30 days.
If you have trouble removing the tick, head to a Stamford Health immediate care clinic or Stamford Hospital’s emergency department (ED). So far in 2026, tick bite-related ED visits in the Northeast already have surpassed the total number for 2025.
Our highly trained physicians can help safely remove the tick, clean the area, and may administer precautionary antibiotics to prevent infection.
How to prevent tick bites:
Of course, prevention is key. When you’re heading outdoors, wear a hat, long pants, high socks, and long sleeves. Tuck your pants into socks and shirts into pants to prevent any ticks from crawling under. Light-colored clothing can be more helpful in spotting any ticks that make their way to you.Apply tick repellent with DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil to any exposed skin. Or consider clothing treated with permethrin, an insect-repellent that lasts through several washes.
When you’re outside, try to avoid woodsy areas, tall grass areas, and going off trail. Since ticks are everywhere, once you head back indoors, take a shower so you can perform a tick check as soon as possible.
