Today’s Tick Risk in Tennessee – Real-Time Forecast & Activity Map
Check your ZIP code for local tick activity, real-time risk levels, and prevention insights.
Built from CDC and NOAA data
Surveillance Insights
- Annual Lyme Cases
- Leading state for RMSF and Ehrlichiosis
- Based on CDC surveillance data
- Long-Term Trend
- Alpha-gal syndrome cases rising rapidly
- Based on CDC surveillance data
- High Risk Zones
- Davidson, Williamson, Knox, Shelby, Land Between the Lakes, Great Smoky Mountains, Rutherford
Current Situation in Tennessee
Tennessee has become a battleground for tick-borne diseases, with a high and rising prevalence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Ehrlichiosis, and the red-meat allergy known as Alpha-gal syndrome. The tick forecast for Tennessee is dominated by the aggressive Lone Star tick and the American Dog tick. While Lyme disease is present, particularly in the eastern mountains near the Virginia border, the other pathogens pose a more widespread threat to residents. The state's diverse geography, from the Mississippi River delta in the west to the Great Smoky Mountains in the east, supports a wide variety of tick habitats. The rapid suburban sprawl around Nashville and Knoxville has pushed homes into tick-infested woodlands, increasing human-tick contact.
Snapshot of the current tick situation in Tennessee, based on regional surveillance data and seasonal activity patterns.
- Risk Level
- Moderate to High
- Peak Activity
- May - July
- Dominant Vector
- Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
Where Ticks Hide in Tennessee
Tennessee's hardwood forests, cedar glades, and agricultural lands provide ideal conditions for ticks. The unique "Cedar Glades" of Middle Tennessee are a known hotspot for tick activity. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the east is a high-risk area for visitors, with its dense forests and high humidity. In the west, the bottomland hardwood forests along the rivers support massive tick populations. Suburban expansion has created a patchwork of woods and lawns that allows deer—and the ticks they carry—to thrive right next to homes and schools.
Seasonal Activity Pattern
Tick season in Tennessee runs broadly from March through November, but ticks can be active year-round on warm days. The peak for Lone Star ticks is April through July, which coincides with peak outdoor recreation time. American Dog ticks are most active in late spring and early summer. Hunters are at significant risk during the fall deer and turkey seasons. "Seed ticks" (larval ticks) emerge in late summer and can be found in massive clusters, posing a miserable threat to hikers and campers who brush against a "tick bomb."
Check Your Local Tick Risk
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Local Vector Analysis
Understanding which ticks are active in Tennessee helps you identify threats and take appropriate precautions.
Lone Star Tick
Amblyomma americanum
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.
Deer Tick / Blacklegged Tick
Ixodes scapularis
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
American Dog Tick
Dermacentor variabilis
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
Lyme Disease
Vector: Deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by deer ticks. If caught early, it's highly treatable with antibiotics. Left untreated, it can cause serious complications affecting joints, heart, and nervous system.
Early Warning Signs
- Erythema migrans (EM) rash - appears in 70-80% of cases
- Bullseye rash (circular red rash with clear center)
- Rash appears 3-30 days after bite
- Fever and chills
Progression & Symptoms
- Severe headaches and neck stiffness
- Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of face)
- Arthritis with severe joint pain, especially knees
Prevention Strategies
The best way to avoid tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites in the first place. These strategies work together to create multiple layers of protection.
Permethrin-Treated Clothing
Permethrin is an insecticide that kills ticks on contact. When applied to clothing, it remains effective through multiple washes.
Daily Tick Checks
Since disease transmission typically requires 24-48 hours of attachment, finding and removing ticks quickly dramatically reduces infection risk.
Landscaping Defense
Creating a tick-hostile environment in your yard reduces the chance ticks will be waiting when you step outside.
Shower Within 2 Hours
Showering after outdoor activity gives you a chance to wash off ticks before they bite.
Tick Bite Protocol
Acting quickly and correctly is your best defense against infection.Follow these 6 critical steps.
Don't Panic
Most tick bites do not transmit disease, especially if removed quickly.
- Infection rates vary by region (20-50%)
- Transmission usually takes 24-48 hours
- Stay calm and use proper technique
Gather Tools
Use fine-tipped tweezers. Avoid fingers or chemicals.
- Fine-tipped tweezers are best
- Rubbing alcohol for cleaning
- Small container to save the tick
Grasp & Pull
Grasp close to skin and pull upward with steady pressure.
- Grab mouthparts near skin (not body)
- Pull straight up—don't twist
- Maintain steady, even pressure
Clean Area
Disinfect the bite site and your hands thoroughly.
- Wash with soap and water
- Apply rubbing alcohol
- Wash hands well
Save Tick
Keep the tick in a sealed container for potential testing.
- Seal in bag or container
- Label with date and location
- Bring to doctor if symptoms appear
Monitor (30 Days)
Watch for rash or flu-like symptoms for a month.
- Check for expanding rash daily
- Watch for fever or fatigue
- Seek care if you feel unwell
When does tick season end in Tennessee?
Tick activity winds down after the first hard freeze, which in Tennessee typically arrives around Oct 26. See the local first-frost window and city-by-city freeze dates.
Tennessee first frost datesAlso worried about mosquitoes in Tennessee?
West Nile virus, EEE, and the local mosquito season vary by state. Check your Tennessee mosquito risk profile.
View Tennessee mosquito forecastStay Safe in Tennessee
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