Life Kit: It's Tick Season. Here's How to Protect Yourself
Host: Marielle Segarra | Guest: Ping Huang, NPR Health Correspondent | Release Date: June 19, 2025

Introduction

In the June 19, 2025 episode of NPR's Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra delves into the pressing issue of tick season. With the help of NPR Health Correspondent Ping Huang, the episode provides comprehensive insights into understanding ticks, the diseases they carry, prevention strategies, and effective actions to take if bitten.

Understanding Ticks

What Are Ticks?
At [03:05], Ping Huang defines ticks as "flat-bodied bugs" with over 80 species in the U.S., though only about a dozen pose health risks to humans. Ticks undergo a life cycle that includes stages as eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults, each requiring a blood meal to progress to the next stage.

Feeding Habits and Preferences
In response to Marielle's curiosity at [03:40], Huang explains, "they need what's in blood to sort of get them to mature through their life cycle," emphasizing that while humans aren't their preferred hosts, ticks will bite humans if other animals are unavailable.

Tick-Borne Diseases

Lyme Disease
At [04:44], Huang highlights Lyme disease as the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the U.S., with "almost 90,000 cases reported each year," though actual numbers may be closer to half a million. Lyme is caused by bacteria and is treatable with antibiotics, but some individuals suffer from long-term symptoms like fatigue and brain fog.

Other Health Risks
Beyond Lyme disease, ticks can transmit a variety of pathogens, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and even Alpha GAL syndrome, which causes red meat allergies. "These problems can range from pretty mild to pretty serious," Huang notes, underscoring ticks as a significant public health concern.

Tick Habitats and Regional Prevalence

Preferred Environments
At [06:06], Huang describes tick habitats as areas with tall grasses, forest edges, piles of leaves or wood, and stone walls. Ticks thrive in shaded, humid environments and can also be found in urban parks and even beach scrubbrush.

Geographical Distribution
Breaking down tick prevalence by region, Huang explains at [06:44]:

• North: Encompassing the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest, this region experiences the highest number of tick bites. "About one in five people in the north get tick bites every year," and approximately 60% of adult ticks here carry Lyme disease.

• South: Central and Southeast areas report fewer tick bites, about one in ten annually. Huang attributes this to behavioral differences in ticks, which stay closer to the ground, reducing their likelihood of attaching to humans.

• West: The Western U.S. reports the least tick activity, with tick bites occurring in roughly one out of every 20 people each year.

Prevention Strategies

Protective Clothing and Repellents
At [08:56], Huang outlines essential prevention measures:

• Wear Long Sleeves and Pants: "Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into the socks if you can stand it," to minimize exposed skin.

• Treat Clothing with Permethrin: An effective insecticide that kills ticks on contact when sprayed on outdoor clothing.

• Use EPA-Recommended Bug Repellents: Products containing Picaridin or DEET can further reduce the risk of tick bites.

Behavioral Adjustments
Huang advises staying on trails during hikes and avoiding areas with tall grass or dense shrubbery to decrease exposure to ticks.

Tick Checks and Removal

Performing Tick Checks
Emphasizing the importance of vigilance, Huang states at [12:29]: "If you're spending time outdoors in nature, do a tick check." She recommends thoroughly inspecting areas where ticks are likely to hide, such as pant creases, cuffs, under the arms, and the scalp.

Identifying Ticks
Describing ticks' appearance, Huang shares at [15:01], "adult deer ticks [...] are about the size of a sesame seed, and nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed," highlighting their small size and the difficulty in spotting them.

Safely Removing Ticks
At [16:37], Huang advises, "grab a pair of tweezers and remove the tick straight out," ensuring the entire bug, especially the mouthparts, is removed to prevent disease transmission.

Post-Removal Actions
After removal, Huang recommends taking a clear photo of the tick for identification purposes and considering submitting it to resources like the University of Rhode Island's Tick Encounter website. If in a Lyme-prevalent area and finding an engorged deer tick, she urges, "see a doctor within 72 hours to get that antibiotic."

Takeaways

1. Tick Prevalence and Health Risks
   At least 31 million people in the U.S. are bitten by ticks annually, with Lyme disease being the most common and well-known illness they transmit.

2. Tick Habitats and Regional Risks
   Ticks inhabit various environments, including tall grass and forest edges, with the highest incidence in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest regions.

3. Preventive Measures
   Wearing protective clothing, treating garments with permethrin, and using effective bug repellents are key strategies to prevent tick bites.

4. Importance of Tick Checks
   Conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities is crucial for early detection and removal, reducing the risk of disease transmission.

5. Action Steps After a Tick Bite
   Photographing the tick, seeking identification help, and consulting a healthcare provider promptly in high-risk areas can significantly mitigate health risks.

Conclusion

Marielle Segarra wraps up the episode by reinforcing the critical steps listeners can take to protect themselves during tick season. With expert advice and practical tips from Ping Huang, listeners are equipped to enjoy the outdoors safely and minimize the risks associated with ticks.

Produced by: Claire Marie Schneider
Visuals Editor: Beck Harlan
Digital Editor: Malika Greave
Senior Supervising Editor: Meghan Keane
Executive Producer: Beth Donovan
Engineering Support: Kwesi Lee