All the latest news stories from Tick Encounter Resource Center surrounding ticks and tick-borne diseases.

All’s Quiet ... except for the larvae!!

Date: 9.14.2009

Larvae infected from feeding on mouse

September is typically one of the quietest months (in warm weather) for human tick encounters. That is, except for the nearly microscopic larval stages of deer ticks and Lone Star ticks (sometimes called seed ticks). Billions of these tiny bloodsuckers are actively host seeking and feeding now. While larvae hatch from eggs pathogen-free, they can become infected with disease causing agents (like the ones causing Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis) if they take their blood meal from a pathogen-infected animal. Once infected, they can carry the pathogens through the winter (and their transformation into nymphs) until they emerge as infected nymphs next spring. Don’t be caught off guard -- You can plan your Spring 2010 tick control actions now!

6 Useful Facts To Know About Larval Ticks:

1. They have 6 legs and are really tiny.
2. They are unlikely to infect you with anything.
3. Usually you get many more than one latching on (they are highly clustered in nature around an egg mass).
4. Try removing with sticky duct tape.
5. If clothing is infested, throw into hot dryer for 5-10 minutes before laundering.
6. You will have nymphs in the same location next spring - so be prepared!!

Be sure to check out the new tick identification chart for seasonal tick activity in your region.

Go to Tick Identification


Current Tick Activity

Current Tick Activity

April update! Dog ticks starting to appear. Keep up-to-date with what ticks are out!

Current Tick Activity

Submit a nomination for the Think TICK...Take ACTION Awards!

Date: 4.30.2010

Think TICK... Take ACTION Awards

The University of Rhode Island Tick Encounter Resource Center and WJAR Channel 10 Providence are honored to invite applications for the “Think TICK...Take ACTION Awards”. Awards are given annually in conjunction with Rhode Island’s Tick Control Awareness Day, to recognize individuals or groups who best demonstrate an effort or commitment in raising consciousness about ticks, their associated diseases, and especially taking action to prevent tick-borne disease.

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Updated Tick Identification Chart!

New Tick Identification chart

We've added several new features to our tick id chart: higher resolution images, seasonal chart data, known diseases transmitted, and regional tick abundance combined with additional species.

Tick Identification

Purchase Hidden in the Leaves on DVD

Purchase Hidden in the Leaves on DVD%

If you would like to purchase "Hidden in the Leaves" on DVD, contact us. The DVD costs $15 per copy, plus shipping. Proceeds help support tick-bite prevention programs.

Hidden in the Leaves

Make A Gift Today

Are you concerned about the serious health threat caused by ticks?

Would you like to make appropriate tick-borne diseases prevention programming more widely available? If you answered yes to these questions, please consider supporting the Tick Encounter Resource Center at the University of Rhode Island. Proceeds help support tick-bite prevention programs.