CT Deer Ticks Over 40% Positive for Lyme Early Season

This article takes a look at the start of tick season in Connecticut. Infection rates for Lyme disease are up, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

We’re also seeing more invasive tick species pop up, and there are some practical safety tips for residents—whether you’re on the coast or further inland. With shifting climates and changing wildlife, ticks seem more active than they’ve been in a while.

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Folks in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and just about everywhere else are being urged to pay more attention.

Tick season in Connecticut: rising infections and what investigators are seeing

Connecticut researchers say black-legged ticks—the main culprits behind Lyme disease—are testing positive at rates over 40% for adults. That’s above the average for the past twenty years.

The CAES Tick Testing Program is getting more than 70 tick submissions a day, sometimes nearly 100. May is usually the busiest, with another spike in the fall.

Lyme disease infection rates in adult ticks are higher this year compared to last season’s 37%. Historically, the averages hover around 32% for adults and 22% for nymphs.

Goudarz Molaei, who runs the Tick Testing Program at CAES, warns that infection rates might stay high—or even rise. Nobody’s pinned down the exact cause, but climate change and warmer winters are likely part of the story.

Other ecological changes, like more animals for ticks to feed on, play a role too.

Why this matters for residents across Connecticut

This isn’t just about Lyme disease. The tick ecosystem in Connecticut affects everyone—from hikers to beachgoers.

Molaei points out that bigger acorn crops lately have boosted rodent populations. Those rodents carry the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi.

If you spend time outside in places like Fairfield, New Haven, or Stamford, or even further inland, your risk goes up.

Hot spots and pulse points across the state

Infection rates are up all over Connecticut, but some counties see more ticks and more invasive species. Fairfield and New Haven counties are especially active.

Coastal towns have noticed invasive ticks on public beaches and near freshwater. But it’s not just a coastal problem. Residents in Hartford, Bridgeport, Storrs/M Connecticut, and Danbury should keep an eye out too.

Parks, preserves, and even backyards can be tick habitats. Cities like Norwalk, Waterbury, Greenwich, and Bristol still report plenty of tick activity during the busiest months.

Newer arrivals—like Lone Star, Gulf Coast, and longhorned ticks—have settled in coastal areas and keep spreading, especially after mild winters. They don’t spread Lyme, but they do carry other diseases, like ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis.

There’s even a meat allergy linked to Lone Star tick bites. So, if you’re out in East Haven, New London, or Groton, you’ll want to be extra cautious.

Climate drivers behind the spike in CT

Experts say climate shifts are giving ticks a leg up. Warmer temps stretch out tick season and give them more chances to bite.

Weather patterns help create bigger acorn crops, which means more rodents. Those rodents keep the Lyme cycle going.

Researchers urge everyone—from West Hartford and Middletown to Norwich and Bridgeport—to expect ongoing risk through late spring and into the fall, whether you’re in the city or out in the country.

Staying safe: practical guidance for CT outdoor activities

Connecticut’s CAES suggests some straightforward steps to lower your tick risk. Whether you’re hiking in Hartford, walking in Old Saybrook, or fishing near New Haven, these tips can help:

Do a full body tick check after you’re outside, especially behind your knees, underarms, and scalp.
Wear long pants and long sleeves, and pull your socks over your pant legs if you can.
Tuck your pants into your socks and use DEET on skin and clothes as directed.
Stick to clear trails, and try to avoid tall grass or brush in parks around Danbury, New Britain, and Waterbury.
Check your pets for ticks after they’ve been outside, and wash your clothes soon after to get rid of any hitchhikers.
If you get bitten and notice a bull’s-eye rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms, get medical help right away.

What researchers are watching next and how to stay informed

Researchers at the CAES Tick Testing Program are still tracking infection rates and species distribution. They’re focusing on towns like Milford, West Haven, Manchester, and Groton.

Local health departments in these areas might send out advisories when tick activity spikes. That’s especially true in coastal counties, where invasive tick species seem to have settled in the most.

If you live in Connecticut and spend time outside—whether you’re up in the capital region or down in the Sound-side towns—it’s smart to make tick prevention part of your routine. Keep an eye out for updates from CAES and your local health department.

Here is the source article for this story: Report: Lyme disease rates in CT deer ticks top 40% early in season

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