Tick Season In NH – What We Need To Know

You know that feeling when the weather finally starts to turn in New Hampshire? The snow melts, the sun sticks around a little longer… and you think, “Alright, we made it.”

Well, about that.

Because right around the same time, these little blood suckers known as ticks quietly tap you on the shoulder or ankle, like, “Hey… I’m back.”

And if you’re anything like me, this is where things get a little shall we say... uneasy.

I’ve got a legit fear of ticks, not just because they’re creepy, but because of something called Alpha-gal syndrome. It’s a condition you can get after being bitten by a certain type of tick (most commonly the lone star tick), where your body suddenly becomes allergic to red meat (hooved animals). Like burgers, steak, bacon.  Nature's meat candy. Really anything and everything good at a summer cookout. Off limits. Your immune system reacts to a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, and it can trigger anything from hives to serious allergic reactions hours after eating meat.

Yeah, now do you  see why I fear ticks?

Now, here in New Hampshire, the ticks we deal with most are blacklegged ticks (aka deer ticks), and they’re known for spreading Lyme disease. The tricky part? Tick season isn’t just “summer” anymore. These things can be active anytime temps are above freezing, which basically means… kinda starting about now and into April and May.

So what do we actually do about it? A few simple things go a long way:

Stick to the center of trails when you’re hiking

Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks easier

Tuck pants into socks (best way to get the attention of a boy or girl)

Use bug spray with DEET or permethrin-treated gear

And always, always, do a full tick check when you get home

Pro-Tip... Keep a set of tweezers with you in your car, jacket or pack.  Especially on the long outdoor adventures.

Oh - I almost forgot... don’t forget your dogs. They’re basically tick magnets.

READ MORE: This is a Tell Tale Sign that it is Officially Spring in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is too good this time of year to stay inside. Just be aware, take a few precautions, and maybe don’t blindly trust that “quick walk through the woods.”