Ticks in Tennessee | Pest ID Guide
Ticks in Tennessee: Quick Facts
Ticks are more than a nuisance in Tennessee. Several species here spread diseases, including spotted fever rickettsiosis and ehrlichiosis, and one can trigger a red meat allergy. Ticks can be active any month the weather is mild, not just in summer.- Most common: Lone star ticks and American dog ticks
- Also present: Blacklegged (deer) ticks, which carry Lyme disease
- Peak season: Spring through summer, but active on warm days year-round
- Where they wait: Tall grass, brush, leaf litter, and the edges of woods and lawns
- Size: From a poppy seed (nymphs) to about 1/4 inch (unfed adults)
Common Ticks in Tennessee
Lone Star Tick
Reddish-brown; adult females have a single white spot on the back. Aggressive biters that actively pursue hosts. They can spread ehrlichiosis and are linked to alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat.
American Dog Tick
Brown with whitish-gray markings on the back. Common along trails, fields, and yards, and the main carrier of spotted fever rickettsiosis, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Blacklegged (Deer) Tick
Small, with dark legs; adult females have an orange-red body and a black shield. The carrier of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. See our deer tick guide.
Tick-Borne Illness: What to Watch For
See a doctor if you develop fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, or a rash in the days or weeks after a tick bite or time outdoors, and mention the possible tick exposure. Many tick-borne illnesses are treatable, and early treatment matters.
Our COO, J.K. Brister, has been through a tick-borne illness himself; read about it on our tick control page.
How to Protect Yourself
- Use repellent: EPA-registered products with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on skin; permethrin on clothing and gear.
- Dress for it: Light-colored long pants tucked into socks make ticks easier to spot.
- Check for ticks: After being outdoors, check your whole body, especially behind knees, armpits, waistline, hairline, and behind ears.
- Shower soon: Showering within a couple of hours of coming inside helps find and wash off unattached ticks.
- Dry your clothes: Tumble clothes on high heat to kill ticks.
- Protect pets: Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention and check pets daily.
If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly. See how to remove a tick.
How to Reduce Ticks in Your Yard
- Keep grass mowed short and clear tall weeds
- Remove leaf litter and brush, especially along woods and fences
- Put a strip of wood chips or gravel between lawn and wooded areas
- Keep play sets, patios, and seating away from yard edges
- Discourage deer, rodents, and other wildlife that carry ticks
Professional Tick Control
Regular yard treatments target the shady, brushy areas where ticks wait for hosts and can greatly reduce the number of ticks around your home. See our tick control services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ticks are common in Tennessee?
Lone star ticks and American dog ticks are the most common. Blacklegged (deer) ticks are also found here.
What diseases do ticks carry in Tennessee?
Ticks here can spread spotted fever rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease, among others, and lone star ticks are linked to alpha-gal syndrome.
When are ticks active in Tennessee?
Mostly spring through summer, but they can be active on any warm day, even in winter.
How do I keep ticks out of my yard?
Keep grass short, clear leaf litter and brush, add a barrier of wood chips between lawn and woods, and consider regular professional treatment.
When should I see a doctor after a tick bite?
If you develop fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, or a rash in the days or weeks afterward.
