NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — After a record year in 2025, the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station said that in under two weeks there have been more than 200 reported tick bites.
“I do not know whether this trend will continue or slow down,” Connecticut Tick Surveillance Program Director Dr. Goudarz Molaei said. “I suspect that it will continue and will get worse.”
In 2025, there were more than 6,000 reported bites, which is double the average.
It would be a mistake to think that this winter’s cold weather killed the ticks. In fact, many ticks were saved by this winter’s snow.
“It’s like a warm blanket for ticks,” Dr. Molaei said. “They hide underneath the snow and they are protected.”
These early ticks are almost exclusively blacklegged ticks. Research shows more than 50% are carrying Lyme Disease. Come this spring, four more tick species will arrive in Connecticut, with each breed carrying different diseases.
Ticks in Connecticut usually live in the woods. But not just in trees or in the grass, they could also be in leaves on the ground.
“Even though it looks goofy, I always make sure I have a thick sock and that it covers the lower half of your calf,” Ji Xue, who runs in East Rock Park, said.
Experts say you should spray on a pesticide before going outside. Upon returning, thoroughly check the body and put all clothes in the wash.
“I actually had Lyme Disease as a kid because I grew up in upstate New York,” Sean Cohen, a father of two young boys, said. “We are just extra aware of it, especially because the kids have very thick, dark hair. We just try to be on top of checking out for it.”
“I know some people who already refuse to take their dogs on hikes anymore because they are so scared,” Xue said.
Most importantly, if a tick bites you, either send it in for testing or keep the tick. If you get sick, the doctors need to know what kind of tick infected you.
