2026 Tick & Vector Risk Outlook

Appearance: Dark reddish-brown body with black shield on back. Adults are 3-5mm.

Peak Season: Adults: Oct-May | Nymphs: May-Aug

Habitat: Deciduous forests, shady moist areas, and leaf litter. Loves the boundary between lawns and woods.

Diseases: Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Powassan Virus, B. miyamotoi

Appearance: Brown with white/grey mottling. Ornate white patterns on shield.

Peak Season: Spring and Summer

Habitat: Grassy fields, walkways, and trails. More tolerant of dry conditions than Deer Ticks.

Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia

Appearance: Distinct white dot or "lone star" on female's back. Reddish-brown body.

Peak Season: Active from early Spring through late Fall

Habitat: Woodlands with dense undergrowth and around animal resting areas.

Diseases: Ehrlichiosis, Alpha-gal Syndrome, STARI, Heartland Virus, Bourbon Virus

Note: Aggressive hunter. Actively pursues hosts.

Appearance: Reddish-brown with ornate silver/white markings creating an eye-catching pattern.

Peak Season: April-September

Habitat: Coastal grasslands, marshes, beaches, and open areas near water.

Diseases: Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis

Appearance: Similar to deer tick. Dark brown to black. Adults are 3-5mm.

Peak Season: Adults: Oct-May | Nymphs: May-Jul

Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodlands, coastal scrub. Often feeds on lizards as nymphs.

Diseases: Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, B. miyamotoi

Appearance: Brown with gray/white mottling, similar to dog tick but found at higher elevations.

Peak Season: March-July

Habitat: Shrublands, lightly wooded areas, and grasslands at 4,000 to 10,500 feet elevation.

Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, Tularemia, Tick Paralysis

Note: Saliva contains neurotoxin that can cause Tick Paralysis (reversible after removal).

Appearance: Uniform reddish-brown color with no ornate patterns or markings.

Peak Season: Year-round (can survive indoors)

Habitat: On dogs and in kennels. Can survive and reproduce indoors.

Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (in Southwest)

Note: Primarily feeds on dogs. Can establish indoor infestations.

Appearance: Pale brown with long mouthparts. Smaller than many native ticks.

Peak Season: Spring-Fall (rapidly spreading)

Habitat: Grasslands, forest edges, agricultural areas. Prefers livestock.

Diseases: Potential SFTS virus (not yet confirmed in US), Theileriosis in cattle

Note: ⚠️ INVASIVE: Parthenogenetic (females clone themselves). Major livestock threat. Rapidly spreading since 2017.

Appearance: Soft-bodied, leathery texture, no hard shield. Looks like a raisin. 5-8mm.

Peak Season: Active in mountain cabins year-round

Habitat: Rustic cabins, rodent burrows in coniferous forests at 900-2,000m elevation.

Diseases: Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF)

Note: 🌙 Feeds at night for 15-30 minutes. Painless bite. Found in mountain cabins with rodent infestations.

Appearance: Soft-bodied, leathery, no hard shield. Oval shaped. 5-8mm.

Peak Season: Year-round in caves and burrows

Habitat: Caves, burrows, crawl spaces. Associated with southwestern ground squirrels and prairie dogs.

Diseases: Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF)

Note: 🌙 Nocturnal feeder. Can live for decades. Found in caves and building crawl spaces.

Appearance: Small, dark tick. Similar appearance to blacklegged tick.

Peak Season: Summer months

Habitat: On small mammals (squirrels, voles). Rarely encountered by humans.

Diseases: None confirmed in humans

Note: ✅ Native to Alaska. Minimal human health risk. Most common tick found on Alaskan wildlife.