CALIFORNIA, Md. — As Southern Maryland residents and visitors head outdoors for hiking, barbecues and summer adventures, they are also stepping into peak tick season. These tiny arachnids are more than just a nuisance — they can carry serious health risks for humans and pets alike, including Lyme disease and a lesser-known but growing concern: alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat and dairy allergy triggered by certain tick bites.
With tick activity on the rise across the state, and some of the highest concentrations of rare tick-borne illnesses in St. Mary’s County and parts of Calvert County, public health officials are urging residents to take precautions. Here are some essential topics and sources to help you stay informed about the types of ticks found in Maryland and the diseases they spread, as well as some prevention strategies. Whether you’re venturing into the woods or just enjoying your backyard, understanding tick risks is key to a healthier summer.
Three Common Types of Ticks in Maryland
Southern Maryland has diverse outdoor landscapes that are perfect homes to several species of ticks, each capable of carrying and distributing transmittable illnesses to humans and animals. One of the most common ticks in Maryland, and most of the U.S., is the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), or the common deer tick, which also serves as the primary distributor of Lyme disease in Maryland. Most active in late spring and the beginning of summer, the black-legged tick is also capable of distributing other diseases — for example, anaplasmosis, a bacterial infection, and babesiosis, a parasite that infects red blood cells. According to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Maryland, also noting that not every tick bite causes illness.
Another common tick species in Maryland is the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), which is recognizable by the distinct white dot on the back of adult females. The lone star tick is not known to spread Lyme disease, but it is capable of passing along a group of bacteria called ehrlichiosis that can transmit the serious and rapidly expanding alpha-gal syndrome, which can cause a severe allergy to red meat.
The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), commonly found in tall grasses and fields, is another common species. It’s usually larger and easy to see, and it also can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial infection.
An important step toward tick-borne illness prevention starts with understanding the types of ticks that live in Maryland. With summer here, heat increasing and everyone ready to get outside and have fun, staying aware of ticks can help protect people, their families, visitors and pets from unexpected risk.
Habitats and Life Cycles of Common Ticks
Ticks are well adapted to warm, humid environments, which means Southern Maryland’s heat, wooded areas, tall grasses and marshy tidal basins provide premium habitats for ticks. A few common areas to be aware of are forest edges, narrow trails, fields and even the backyards of homes and apartments. Ticks don’t fly or jump. The black-legged tick will climb grasses or brush and wait for a host (person or animal) to pass by so they can grab on. The lone star tick will seek out a host — even pursue one for up to three meters.
Ticks in Maryland have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, nymph and adult. During each active stage, ticks need to feed on blood to survive. The nymph stage is particularly concerning because of their small size — about the size of a poppy seed — and because they are active during the beginning of the warm season. Even though they are small, they are still capable of transmitting Lyme disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that most Lyme disease transmission comes from nymphs, because of their potential to go unnoticed.
In Southern Maryland, ticks have the potential to be active most of the year, depending on the species and the heat, but typically are found April through September. Understanding where ticks live and how they develop helps residents make smart decisions about their outdoor activity during tick season.
Lyme Disease Symptoms and Transmission
Lyme disease is the most reported tick-borne illness in Maryland. It is transmitted through the bite of a black-legged tick. The peak season is late spring and early summer, when the ticks are in their nymph stage.
Symptoms typically show three to 30 days after a bite and may include fever, loss of energy and muscle aches. According to the CDC, ticks must be attached for more than two hours to transmit the infection. Early treatment from a medical professional is recommended if symptoms occur following a tick bite.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome and Tick Bites
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an unusual but increasingly more common food allergy to red meat, dairy and other animal products. It is triggered by certain tick bites and is particularly linked to the lone star tick.
Unlike typical food allergies, symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome are delayed, often appearing three to six hours after consuming red meat such as beef, pork or lamb. Reactions can vary from hives, nausea and stomach cramps to more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis — a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires urgent medical care.
Southern Maryland has some of the highest concentrations of confirmed cases of AGS, with St. Mary’s County and parts of Calvert County reporting the most in the state, according to recent reports from the St. Mary’s County Health Department.
There is no cure for AGS, but symptoms can be managed by avoiding red meat and dairy. It is also recommended that people consult medical doctors and an allergist if they experience unexplained allergic reactions following outdoor activities.
Tick Prevention Tips for The Outdoors
Preventing tick bites is critical to avoiding tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome. In Southern Maryland, ticks are most active from April through September, especially in wooded, grassy and brushy lands.
To stay safe, some preventions tips will go a long way:
- Wear long sleeves and pants, make sure to tuck your pants into your socks and consider bright colors for clothes.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents with DEET or permethrin, and wear repellent-treated clothing.
- Stay on wide, cleared trails and avoid tall grass.
- Shower within two hours of being outdoors.
- Perform full-body tick checks, especially behind the knees, along the hairline, and on pets.
The Maryland Department of Health offers a tick prevention guide, including links to videos and checklists.
For regional updates, St Mary’s County Health Department also shares seasonal alerts and safety tips as smchd.org.
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