The Rise of the Lone Star Tick: How to Protect Yourself

Lone Star Ticks Arrive on the Seacoast

Tick warnings are on the rise across the Seacoast, and one species in particular—the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum)—is moving north as our climate warms. Once common only in the southern U.S., it is now being found in communities like Portsmouth, Rye, Exeter, and North Hampton. Unlike deer ticks, the Lone Star tick poses different risks: it can transmit illnesses such as ehrlichiosis and STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness) and, in some cases, trigger alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that causes serious reactions. For Seacoast homeowners, understanding this pest and how to reduce exposure is more important than ever.

Practical Steps for Protection

Protecting yourself from Lone Star ticks starts with personal safety habits and smart landscape management. When working outdoors, wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot, tuck your pants into your socks, and use repellents containing DEET or permethrin. Always perform a full-body tick check after gardening, paying close attention to common hiding spots like behind the knees, under the arms, and along the hairline. Beyond personal precautions, the way you care for your yard makes a big difference. Keeping lawns trimmed, pruning shrubs for better airflow, clearing leaf litter, mulching carefully, and maintaining clear garden edges all help reduce the shady, damp habitats where ticks thrive.

Why the Lone Star Tick Matters Locally

Our coastal Zone 6b climate provides the perfect environment for ticks to thrive, with damp soils, shaded property edges, and dense plantings offering plenty of cover. Everyday gardening tasks like weeding, pruning, and mulching often place homeowners right in these tick-friendly areas, increasing the risk of exposure. Understanding how routine yard care intersects with tick habitats is the first step toward creating a safer landscape for both people and plants.

Gardening for Health and Safety

Good gardening is about more than creating a beautiful landscape—it’s also about keeping your outdoor spaces safe for your family. By managing your property with intention, you can reduce the conditions that attract ticks while supporting healthier plants. Pruning shrubs to improve airflow, providing regular shrub care, and thoughtfully placing plants so they don’t create dense, shaded thickets all help limit tick habitats. At the same time, these practices strengthen root systems, showcase ornamental trees and shrubs, and enhance the natural beauty of your yard. With the right approach, you can enjoy gardens that are both vibrant and safe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Do Lone Star ticks carry Lyme disease?

No. Unlike deer ticks, Lone Star ticks do not carry Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi). However, they are linked to several other illnesses, including ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI). These diseases can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, rash, or muscle aches, which makes it important to take Lone Star tick bites seriously even if they don’t transmit Lyme.

Q2. What makes the Lone Star tick different?

The Lone Star tick is known for being much more aggressive and fast-moving than other tick species. Instead of waiting quietly on plants, it actively seeks out people and animals and bites quickly. It is also easy to identify, as the adult female has a distinctive white spot on her back—the “lone star” that gives this tick its name.

Q3. Can Lone Star ticks cause food allergies?

Yes. A bite from the Lone Star tick has been linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that can trigger an allergy to red meat. This reaction occurs when the tick introduces a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the body, which can cause symptoms like hives, stomach distress, or even severe allergic reactions hours after eating beef, pork, or lamb.

Q4. When are Lone Star ticks most active?

Lone Star ticks are active for much of the year whenever temperatures stay above freezing. Adults are most active from April through June, nymphs from May through August, and larvae from July into October. Taken together, their activity stretches from early spring through late fall, which makes regular prevention important throughout the gardening and outdoor season.

Q5. Where are Lone Star ticks found on the Seacoast?

On the Seacoast, Lone Star ticks thrive in damp, shaded areas that offer cover and moisture. They are commonly found in leaf litter beneath shrubs, tall grasses along property edges, and dense plantings with little airflow. These spots provide the shelter ticks need to survive and wait for a host.

Q6. How can I make my property less tick-friendly?

You can reduce tick habitats by making your landscape less inviting. Keep lawns trimmed, prune shrubs to improve airflow, clear away leaf litter, and mulch garden beds carefully to avoid creating damp hiding places. These same fine-gardening practices not only cut down on tick risk but also support stronger, healthier plants.

Protect Your Seacoast Garden Today

At Seacoast Gardener, we believe a healthy, thriving garden should also be a safe place for your family to enjoy. Our team offers professional pruning, shrub care, mulching, and cleanup services designed to improve plant health while reducing the habitats that ticks love. By combining fine-gardening practices with attention to safety, we help homeowners create landscapes that are both beautiful and protective. We proudly serve Portsmouth, Rye, Exeter, North Hampton, and throughout the Seacoast & Southern Maine. Call us today at (603) 770-5072 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, safer garden.