This is part of a series called “Extreme Living: Climate Disruption Stories,” where we share stories from Moms members about family life in an age of extremes. Read our recent installment about humidity.
I think we can all agree that some insects are neat. For me, fireflies, cicadas, bees, and butterflies come to mind. They fly, they pollinate, they’re fun to watch.
But some creepy crawlies, like ticks, are definitely not. And climate change has expanded where ticks live and how long they’re commonly active each year. Given this, it’s strange that I don’t have much experience with ticks. Even though I am often outside running and hiking in the woods in my Virginia town, I last found a tick on me 15 years ago.
But I have heard so many horror stories. A friend in West Virginia rushed her young son to the emergency room when she found him covered in ticks from playing in the backyard. A few local friends have had Lyme disease. The fear is real. Whenever my daughter joins me on an outdoor adventure, we are sure to do a tick check. We haven’t found one—yet. It’s just a matter of time.
Tell the House of Representatives: Protect Our Children From Extreme Weather
Many parents spend spring to fall pulling ticks off their bodies, their children, and their pets, especially in the Mid-Atlantic and New England. The states with the highest tick populations? New York and Pennsylvania. Here are some Extreme Living stories about ticks, climate change, and families exclusively from Moms members in these two states.
Vanessa Lynch, Pennsylvania
“One word: TICKS. Every time my son goes outside, hikes in the woods near our home, or visits local outdoor attractions we have to perform thorough tick checks. Every. Time. Many of my son’s friends have had Lyme disease, our neighbor’s dog died from kidney failure associated with Lyme disease, and our friend’s daughter was hospitalized for Lyme meningitis. Tick populations in Pennsylvania are exploding because of the warming temperatures associated with climate change. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about sending their children outside to enjoy nature.”
Rachel Meyer, Pennsylvania
“There has been a major increase in tick populations in our area. As a child playing in the southwestern Pennsylvania woods, I never really had to worry about ticks. My daughter does not enjoy that same freedom. I have to check her every day she plays outside except the very coldest times in winter. I have purchased special tweezers for removing the ticks. There is a beautiful area near us along a creek that would be a fantastic place for my daughter to play. We very rarely go there because of the ticks. I went briefly once and found eight ticks on my pants.”
Ali Simpson, New York
“Our northeast winters are now so much milder and shorter, which has allowed ticks to thrive even during the winter months. This means peak tick season in our community begins raging earlier every year—it was so bad last year I had to keep our toddler and dog off our grass because they were covered in ticks whenever they played out there.”
Patrice Tomcik, Pennsylvania
“A warmer climate has meant a longer breeding season for ticks. Within just the circle of my family and friends, I know of more than 10 people who have been treated for tick bites because of the increased risk of Lyme disease transmission. Last fall, I was treated twice because of ticks that were attached and engorged on my body. I took my dogs for a walk on a new trail this past February during one of the unseasonably warm days (70 degrees) and spent two hours picking 38 ticks off my dogs.”
Alexandra Zissu, New York
“When I was a kid, I spent summers spinning and spinning staring at the blue sky, then dizzily collapsing onto the grass beneath me. The warm earth would hold me as my racing pulse slowed. That feeling of lying in grass is so delicious. I also spent hours rolling down grassy hills. But it has been years since I experienced this joy—or let my kids partake. If we lie on the grass, it’s on a white sheet where we can spot ticks crawling. We live in the Hudson Valley, which is a well-known hot spot of tick-borne illness. It’s not just Lyme anymore. There are multiple pathogens and co-infections. We walk mowed paths—no more deep woods exploring—and always wear tall white socks. Tick checking is like brushing our teeth—a daily must. And deep into colder months too. I once pulled a tick off myself around Thanksgiving. It’s a climate epidemic that impacts our daily lives.”
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With these stories in mind, my daughter and I will keep doing our tick checks after time spent outdoors. We encourage you to do the same—and help Moms spread the word about climate change and tick-borne illness with our fact sheet.
Tell the House of Representatives: Protect Our Children From Extreme Weather