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These maps show what ticks live in Massachusetts

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The highest risk of being bitten by multiple types of ticks is during the spring and summer in Massachusetts, risking getting Lyme disease.

Lyme disease can cause nerve pain, aching joints and fatigue. Another tick-borne illness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, can cause a rash, headaches, fever and vomiting. And ehrlichiosis, also a tick-borne illness, has been associated with an allergy to red meat. Other diseases from tickets include babesiosis, anaplasmosis and tularemi.

As the climate warms, a report by Bloomberg stated that ticks are increasingly spreading into newer territory further north. But researchers at the University of Massachusetts are attempting to find new ways to ward off ticks as the traditional defenses against creatures of their ilk — such as bug sprays — do little to sway a tick from crawling up one's leg and latching on for a meal.

See below for 5 maps showing what types of ticks live in Massachusetts.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that more research is needed to understand the role of the American dog tick in disease transmission. But they can transmit Tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.The Center for Disease Control and Prevention

American dog tick

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that more research is needed to understand the role of the American dog tick in disease transmission. But they can transmit tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

These ticks are most likely to bite humans during the spring and summer.

People should be aware of these ticks any time temperatures are above freezing, the CDC said.CDC

Blacklegged tick

People should be aware of these ticks any time temperatures are above freezing, the CDC said. But the greatest risk of being bitten is in the spring, summer and fall. These ticks can transmit diseases causing Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, hard tick relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease.

The Sharon Health Department confirmed the first case of Powassan virus of 2024 in April, according to a release. They wanred residents to take precautions.

The Brown dog tick is found worldwide. Its host is normally dogs but the tick can also bite humans or other mammals, the CDC said.CDC

Brown dog tick

The brown dog tick is found worldwide. Its host is normally dogs but the tick can also bite humans or other mammals, the CDC said. These ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The lone star tick is known as a very aggressive tick that bites humans, according to the CDC.CDC

Lone star tick

The lone star tick is known as a very aggressive tick that bites humans, according to the CDC.

"The adult female is distinguished by a white dot or 'lone star' on her back. Lone star tick saliva can be irritating; redness and discomfort at a bite site does not necessarily indicate an infection. The nymph and adult females most frequently bite humans and transmit disease," the CDC warns.

The tick can transmit Bourbon virus, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, which can cause ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus, tularemia and STARI, the CDC warned. There is also a growing evidence that alpha-gal syndrome, also known as the red meat allergy, may be triggered by the bite of the lone star tick. However, the CDC said, other tick species have not been ruled out.

The CDC also breaks down the tick surveillance by county. For more maps, click here.

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