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Top 5 East Coast cities for ticks and Lyme Disease

Spring is just the start of tick season, but it’s when the disease-spreading pests become most active. Tick activity has become more of a concern to the general public with the increased reported cases of Lyme disease, an infectious disease spread by ticks. When the weather warms up, ticks like to crawl up the tops of tall vegetation like grass and wave their legs around to latch on to pets or people.

Although ticks are found all over the country, there are some areas that have reported more incidents of Lyme Disease than others. Below, we look at the top five major U.S. cities on the East Coast for ticks and Lyme Disease reports.

If you want to avoid ticks or have spotted ticks on your family or your pets, contact your local Ehrlich Pest Control office today for a property inspection and to discuss tick treatments.

1. Pittsburgh, PA – Allegheny County

Top 5 East Coast Cities for Lyme Disease: 1 - Pittsburgh

The largest city in the Ohio Valley (as well as Appalachia), Pittsburgh is also the 26th-largest city in the entire country. It ranks just behind Philadelphia in terms of population within the state of Pennsylvania.

Rural areas are nearby to Pittsburgh where vegetation, grass and forested areas make the perfect hiding places for ticks. Families heading out for a day’s hike in these areas can easily pick up ticks themselves or on their pets and bring them back home. Once back in the city, ticks thrive in more urban or suburban settings. They can easily transfer from one person to the next and infest homes, businesses and apartment buildings.

2. Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia County

Top 5 East Coast Cities for Lyme Disease: 2 - Philadelphia

The largest city in the state of Pennsylvania and sixth most populous city in all of North America. Located in the Delaware Valley, the combined area surrounding Philadelphia is the eighth largest combined statistical area in the United States. That means there are a lot of people located in a wide area that encompasses a lot of different terrain from urban to rural areas. With that many people, given the climate in the area and the fact rural areas provide just the right vegetation and plant life ideal for ticks, it stands to reason the tick population here is large and Lyme Disease common.

Ticks thrive in areas that are high in vegetation, but also with temperatures that frequently rise into the 80s. This is perfect for the state of Pennsylvania and many of the states east of the Mississippi and on up into New England. The more people you have in a confined area, the more likely ticks can find new hosts more easily.

3. New York, NY – Morris County, NJ

Top 5 East Coast Cities for Lyme Disease: 3 - New York

As you might guess, New York City and the states of New York and New Jersey are all prime areas for ticks and Lyme Disease reports. The area around New York has reported the largest number of Lyme Disease cases in Morris County, NJ, which is actually across the river from the Big Apple. Despite being in New Jersey, Morris County is considered part of the New York metropolitan area. It is a very crowded and populous county with most people living there and commuting into New York City for their jobs.

Although Morris County is hardly rural, it is much closer to wooded areas and is popular for people who like to hike and spend time in the woods. Those, of course, are the areas where ticks prefer to hide, breed and search for potential blood meals.

The larger the population, the more likely ticks can spread. Ticks prefer to be in the wild and hitch rides on people and pets but can also survive and breed in carpeting and furniture. This makes it easier for ticks to find human hosts and to spread Lyme Disease.

4. Allentown, PA – Lehigh County

Top 5 East Coast Cities for Lyme Disease: 4 - Allentown

Part of Lehigh County, Allentown, PA, is the third-most populous city in Pennsylvania. It’s famous for being an industrial city, but it’s also a city that reported just under 300 Lyme Disease cases in 2016. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Pennsylvania. The area is surrounded by wooded areas and forests. It is also surrounded by bodies of water like the Lehigh River and Lehigh Creek. Lake Muhlenberg is also nearby.

Any area that has a lot of access to wilderness areas, grasslands, wooded areas and forests, in general, run the risk of tick infestations and bites.

5. Reading, PA – Berks County

Top 5 East Coast Cities for Lyme Disease: Reading

The fifth-largest city in Pennsylvania, Reading is halfway between Philadelphia and the capital of Harrisburg. Once again, the terrain around the city is very heavily wooded. This is just part of the state of Pennsylvania. In fact, the Reading area is popular these days for cyclists and for people who want to spend time out in nature. Hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities are common and popular in this area.

Ehrlich gets rid of ticks

If you have suffered from tick bites, you know how they can be a real problem. Lyme Disease can lead to a number of serious health concerns that can be dangerous and debilitating. Anyone who spends time out in the forest or areas with high grass or vegetation needs to check themselves, their family and their pets for ticks. Make sure your arms and legs are covered and wear light-colored clothing to ticks really stand out.

However, if you find ticks around your home or feel you have a tick infestation in your home, you should contact your local Ehrlich Pest Control office right away. We will visit your property to do a property inspection and identify whether the pests are ticks. Our treatments can successfully remove ticks, larvae and their eggs. We can also provide treatments to ensure ticks don’t find your property an appealing place to live.

If you want to avoid ticks, contact your local Ehrlich Pest Control tick specialists today. For more information, please see our ticks removal page.

*Data provided by CDC study “Lyme Disease Case Counts by County 2016”

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