DNREC, DPH Urge Tick Awareness Amid Rising Disease Risks Including First Powassan Virus Detection

NEWS FEED

Delaware Department of Agriculture issues request for proposals for 2026 specialty crop grant
Date Posted: April 27, 2026

DNREC, DPH Call for Heightened Tick Awareness in Delaware
Date Posted: April 27, 2026

Fort Delaware Debuts Fort Fest for 75th Anniversary
Date Posted: April 25, 2026

Delaware Forest Service Celebrates Arbor Day 2026
Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Odessa High School FFA and Agriscience Team Wins 2026 Delaware Envirothon Championship Second Year in a Row
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

POST Leads National Session on Officer Fatigue, Expands Instructor Development
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Delaware State Fire Commission Announces National Search for Director of the Delaware State Fire School
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Governor Meyer Announces Summer 2026 Internship Program
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

DDA reminds everyone to enjoy Delaware Grown products as First State farmers markets, farm stands open
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

DOJ secures guilty verdicts in 2023 murder case
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

40th Annual Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament Set for Saturday, June 6
Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Governor Meyer Establishes Election Security Task Force in Delaware
Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Delaware Cancer Consortium Celebrates 25 Years of Influencing Change and Saving Lives
Date Posted: April 22, 2026

State of Delaware Appeals Court Order to Provide Employer Data to Immigration Officials
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

DelDOT Highlights National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Delaware Confirms State’s First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild White-tailed Deer
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Delaware Libraries Celebrate National Library Week 2026
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

DOJ obtains prison sentences in robbery-turned-homicide
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

DPH Releases Latest Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in Delaware
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Governor Meyer Nominates Robert Storch to be Delaware’s First Inspector General
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

The Delaware Department of Human Resources Hosts Its Second Statewide Career Fair of 2026 in Ongoing Hiring Initiative
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

DOJ secures lengthy sentence in child abuse case
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

DNREC Revises 2026-2027 Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishing Regulations for Compliance With Fishery Management Plan
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Harrington Poultry Farm Fire
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Delaware Century Farm Program adds three new families, celebrates First State’s agricultural heritage
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

DSHA Enhances, Rebrands Single-Family Mortgage Lending Products
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Three schools earn Delaware Purple Star recognition
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Unveiling of New State Historical Marker Honoring Fort Delaware
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

State Auditor Lydia York Issues Audit of Federal Awards to State of Delaware
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Celebrate 2026 Earth Day with Hikes and Volunteer Events at Delaware State Parks
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Four Delaware Police Agencies Earn State Accreditation
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay Holds Statewide Student Art Competition
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

DSB Launches Delaware Opportunity Zone 2.0 Mapping Tool
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Delaware Forest Service Re-Launches Federal Firefighter Property Program to Support Local Fire Departments
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Delaware EARNS Savers Reach $10 Million in Retirement Assets
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Delaware Division of Child Support Services Launches Modernized New Hire Reporting Website
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

HCA and Archaeological Society of Delaware Announce Presenters, Delmarva Archaeology & History Symposium
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium Celebrates 20th Anniversary During Annual Summit
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

EPA, DDA, Renew Pledge to First State Farming, Environmental Health with Memorandum of Understanding
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Students named 2026 Secretary of Education Scholars
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

DNREC-Sponsored Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale to be Held on Saturday, May 2
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Governor Meyer Announces Application Opening for Student Member of State Board Of Education
Date Posted: April 13, 2026

DNREC to Hold Training at Cape Henlopen for Volunteer Beach-nesting Bird Monitors Saturday, May 2
Date Posted: April 13, 2026

Mezzanine Gallery presents Mike McSorley’s “Out of the Ordinary”
Date Posted: April 10, 2026

DMV Scam Alert
Date Posted: April 9, 2026

John Dickinson and the Defense of Delaware at the Archives’ April First Saturday Program
Date Posted: April 9, 2026

DNREC Announces Two New Superintendents for Delaware State Parks
Date Posted: April 9, 2026

EDGE 2.0 Finalists and Pitch Competition Dates Announced
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Governor Meyer, DSPC, and Enstructure Announce Permit Issuance for Delaware Container Terminal
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Delaware’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan Gets U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Approval
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Dover House Fire
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Governor Meyer Appoints Brenda Wise to DEFAC
Date Posted: April 7, 2026

DNREC to Conduct Statewide Assessment of Wastewater Infrastructure in Manufactured Home Communities
Date Posted: April 7, 2026

Governor Meyer Nominates Bob Osmond as Chief Information Officer
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Houston House Fire
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Upcoming Electricity Rate Increase Adds to Cost Increases for Delmarva Customers
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

AG Jennings sues Trump to block election interference
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Slow Down and Stay Focused: OHS Kicks Off Spring BRAKE and Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

AG Jennings wins appeals court ruling against HUD’s attempts to restrict housing-assistance programs
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Volunteers Sought to Join DNREC in Cleaning Up Concord Pond near Seaford for Earth Month
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Wilmington DMV Appointments Update
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

DMV on the Go for 2026
Date Posted: April 2, 2026

Historical and Cultural Affairs Presents Arts & Education Programs for the Month of April
Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Governor Meyer Names Updated Delaware Interfaith Council
Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Smyrna State Service Center Relocating to New Location on DHCI Campus
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs Announces Deputy Director and PIO Appointments
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Los Líderes De Delaware Instan a Los Residentes a Conocer Sus Derechos
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Delaware Leaders Encourage Residents to Know Their Rights
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Delaware Releases Strategic Framework for Contaminants of Emerging Concern and First PFAS Implementation Plan
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Turkey Hunting Season to Offer an Extra Day; Season Opens April 4 and 5 with Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunts
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

H.B. du Pont Middle School Students Crowned 2026 Solar Racer Champions
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Lewes Fire
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Delaware Veterans Connect, Create, and Showcase Their Work Through Free Statewide Art Classes
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Take A Kid Fishing! Program Returns for Special Spring Break Dates
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Electronic Red-Light Safety Program Adds 15 Locations
Date Posted: March 27, 2026

Court rules with State, clears way for offshore wind substation critical to Delaware’s energy future
Date Posted: March 27, 2026

Wilmington Fire
Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Expands Delaware LGBTQ+ Commission
Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Emergency Sirens Test on Tuesday, April 7
Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Announces Major Broadband Milestone for Delaware
Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Seventeen Officers Complete POST Instructor Course
Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Visit Delaware Releases Updated Travel Guide
Date Posted: March 24, 2026

Governor Meyer Orders Lowering of Flags to Honor Former State Senator Nancy Cook
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DOJ announces arrest of Delmar officer in stalking, sexual contact investigations
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

Delaware Division of the Arts Announces 15th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition Winners
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DE250 Invites Public to “Celebrate Delaware” at Hotel Du Pont
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Reopen April 1
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DOJ secures life sentences, additional time for two men involved in the murder of Shiheem Durham
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay Sits Down with Small Business Leaders Across the State
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DSHA kicks off healthy heart programming for residents
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Potassium Iodide Distribution on April 2 in Middletown
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Felton Fire
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Results of OHS’ St. Patrick’s Day Weekend DUI Checkpoint and Sober Rides Program
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Delaware Senators Move One Step Closer to Protecting Civil Rights for Individuals with Disabilities
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

BASSE Charter to close in June
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Delaware Launches New Statewide AI Training for State Employees
Date Posted: March 19, 2026

DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section Set to Spray Woodland Pool Habitats
Date Posted: March 17, 2026

DNREC, DEMA to Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week March 16 to 20
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Public Advocate Names New Deputy and Key Staff to Strengthen Consumer Advocacy
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

DOJ secures convictions in the murder of Marell Lowe
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

NEWS FEED

Delaware Department of Agriculture issues request for proposals for 2026 specialty crop grant
Date Posted: April 27, 2026

DNREC, DPH Call for Heightened Tick Awareness in Delaware
Date Posted: April 27, 2026

Fort Delaware Debuts Fort Fest for 75th Anniversary
Date Posted: April 25, 2026

Delaware Forest Service Celebrates Arbor Day 2026
Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Odessa High School FFA and Agriscience Team Wins 2026 Delaware Envirothon Championship Second Year in a Row
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

POST Leads National Session on Officer Fatigue, Expands Instructor Development
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Delaware State Fire Commission Announces National Search for Director of the Delaware State Fire School
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Governor Meyer Announces Summer 2026 Internship Program
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

DDA reminds everyone to enjoy Delaware Grown products as First State farmers markets, farm stands open
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

DOJ secures guilty verdicts in 2023 murder case
Date Posted: April 23, 2026

40th Annual Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament Set for Saturday, June 6
Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Governor Meyer Establishes Election Security Task Force in Delaware
Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Delaware Cancer Consortium Celebrates 25 Years of Influencing Change and Saving Lives
Date Posted: April 22, 2026

State of Delaware Appeals Court Order to Provide Employer Data to Immigration Officials
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

DelDOT Highlights National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Delaware Confirms State’s First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild White-tailed Deer
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Delaware Libraries Celebrate National Library Week 2026
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

DOJ obtains prison sentences in robbery-turned-homicide
Date Posted: April 21, 2026

DPH Releases Latest Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in Delaware
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Governor Meyer Nominates Robert Storch to be Delaware’s First Inspector General
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

The Delaware Department of Human Resources Hosts Its Second Statewide Career Fair of 2026 in Ongoing Hiring Initiative
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

DOJ secures lengthy sentence in child abuse case
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

DNREC Revises 2026-2027 Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishing Regulations for Compliance With Fishery Management Plan
Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Harrington Poultry Farm Fire
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Delaware Century Farm Program adds three new families, celebrates First State’s agricultural heritage
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

DSHA Enhances, Rebrands Single-Family Mortgage Lending Products
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Three schools earn Delaware Purple Star recognition
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Unveiling of New State Historical Marker Honoring Fort Delaware
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

State Auditor Lydia York Issues Audit of Federal Awards to State of Delaware
Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Celebrate 2026 Earth Day with Hikes and Volunteer Events at Delaware State Parks
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Four Delaware Police Agencies Earn State Accreditation
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay Holds Statewide Student Art Competition
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

DSB Launches Delaware Opportunity Zone 2.0 Mapping Tool
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Delaware Forest Service Re-Launches Federal Firefighter Property Program to Support Local Fire Departments
Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Delaware EARNS Savers Reach $10 Million in Retirement Assets
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Delaware Division of Child Support Services Launches Modernized New Hire Reporting Website
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

HCA and Archaeological Society of Delaware Announce Presenters, Delmarva Archaeology & History Symposium
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium Celebrates 20th Anniversary During Annual Summit
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

EPA, DDA, Renew Pledge to First State Farming, Environmental Health with Memorandum of Understanding
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Students named 2026 Secretary of Education Scholars
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

DNREC-Sponsored Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale to be Held on Saturday, May 2
Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Governor Meyer Announces Application Opening for Student Member of State Board Of Education
Date Posted: April 13, 2026

DNREC to Hold Training at Cape Henlopen for Volunteer Beach-nesting Bird Monitors Saturday, May 2
Date Posted: April 13, 2026

Mezzanine Gallery presents Mike McSorley’s “Out of the Ordinary”
Date Posted: April 10, 2026

DMV Scam Alert
Date Posted: April 9, 2026

John Dickinson and the Defense of Delaware at the Archives’ April First Saturday Program
Date Posted: April 9, 2026

DNREC Announces Two New Superintendents for Delaware State Parks
Date Posted: April 9, 2026

EDGE 2.0 Finalists and Pitch Competition Dates Announced
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Governor Meyer, DSPC, and Enstructure Announce Permit Issuance for Delaware Container Terminal
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Delaware’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan Gets U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Approval
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Dover House Fire
Date Posted: April 8, 2026

Governor Meyer Appoints Brenda Wise to DEFAC
Date Posted: April 7, 2026

DNREC to Conduct Statewide Assessment of Wastewater Infrastructure in Manufactured Home Communities
Date Posted: April 7, 2026

Governor Meyer Nominates Bob Osmond as Chief Information Officer
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Houston House Fire
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Upcoming Electricity Rate Increase Adds to Cost Increases for Delmarva Customers
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

AG Jennings sues Trump to block election interference
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Slow Down and Stay Focused: OHS Kicks Off Spring BRAKE and Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

AG Jennings wins appeals court ruling against HUD’s attempts to restrict housing-assistance programs
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Volunteers Sought to Join DNREC in Cleaning Up Concord Pond near Seaford for Earth Month
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Wilmington DMV Appointments Update
Date Posted: April 6, 2026

DMV on the Go for 2026
Date Posted: April 2, 2026

Historical and Cultural Affairs Presents Arts & Education Programs for the Month of April
Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Governor Meyer Names Updated Delaware Interfaith Council
Date Posted: April 1, 2026

Smyrna State Service Center Relocating to New Location on DHCI Campus
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs Announces Deputy Director and PIO Appointments
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Los Líderes De Delaware Instan a Los Residentes a Conocer Sus Derechos
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Delaware Leaders Encourage Residents to Know Their Rights
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Delaware Releases Strategic Framework for Contaminants of Emerging Concern and First PFAS Implementation Plan
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Turkey Hunting Season to Offer an Extra Day; Season Opens April 4 and 5 with Youth and Non-ambulatory Hunts
Date Posted: March 31, 2026

H.B. du Pont Middle School Students Crowned 2026 Solar Racer Champions
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Lewes Fire
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Delaware Veterans Connect, Create, and Showcase Their Work Through Free Statewide Art Classes
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Take A Kid Fishing! Program Returns for Special Spring Break Dates
Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Electronic Red-Light Safety Program Adds 15 Locations
Date Posted: March 27, 2026

Court rules with State, clears way for offshore wind substation critical to Delaware’s energy future
Date Posted: March 27, 2026

Wilmington Fire
Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Expands Delaware LGBTQ+ Commission
Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Emergency Sirens Test on Tuesday, April 7
Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer Announces Major Broadband Milestone for Delaware
Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Seventeen Officers Complete POST Instructor Course
Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Visit Delaware Releases Updated Travel Guide
Date Posted: March 24, 2026

Governor Meyer Orders Lowering of Flags to Honor Former State Senator Nancy Cook
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DOJ announces arrest of Delmar officer in stalking, sexual contact investigations
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

Delaware Division of the Arts Announces 15th Annual State Employee Art Exhibition Winners
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DE250 Invites Public to “Celebrate Delaware” at Hotel Du Pont
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Reopen April 1
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DOJ secures life sentences, additional time for two men involved in the murder of Shiheem Durham
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay Sits Down with Small Business Leaders Across the State
Date Posted: March 23, 2026

DSHA kicks off healthy heart programming for residents
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Potassium Iodide Distribution on April 2 in Middletown
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Felton Fire
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Results of OHS’ St. Patrick’s Day Weekend DUI Checkpoint and Sober Rides Program
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Delaware Senators Move One Step Closer to Protecting Civil Rights for Individuals with Disabilities
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

BASSE Charter to close in June
Date Posted: March 20, 2026

Delaware Launches New Statewide AI Training for State Employees
Date Posted: March 19, 2026

DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section Set to Spray Woodland Pool Habitats
Date Posted: March 17, 2026

DNREC, DEMA to Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week March 16 to 20
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Public Advocate Names New Deputy and Key Staff to Strengthen Consumer Advocacy
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

DOJ secures convictions in the murder of Marell Lowe
Date Posted: March 16, 2026

Delaware News

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A DNREC Tick Program staff member surveys for ticks in a wooded area of northern New Castle County.
Nineteen tick species have been identified in the state, the most prominent the black-legged tick, the lone
star tick and the American dog tick, all known for transmitting tick-borne illness /Delaware DNREC photo

As Delawareans spend more time outdoors this spring and summer, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Division of Public Health (DPH) are reminding residents to take simple steps to avoid tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne illness. Ticks are active in Delaware year-round, not just in warmer months, and can be found in wooded, brushy and grassy areas.

While 19 tick species have been identified in Delaware, most are not a concern for people. A handful of species account for most human bites, including the blacklegged tick, lone star tick and American dog tick.

“The blacklegged tick is the one we worry about most,” said State Tick Biologist Dr. Ashley Kennedy of DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section. “It can carry several different pathogens, and in our testing, a much higher percentage of them are infected compared to other species.”

This year’s tick awareness reminder also includes Delaware’s first confirmed detection of Powassan virus in a tick. Powassan is rare but can cause severe illness and can be fatal in rare instances. While research suggests that ticks can transmit Powassan virus to the host in as little as 15 minutes of attachment, the incubation period between when someone is bitten by a tick and when they start to feel sick can range from one to five weeks.

Dr. Kennedy said many people believe ticks are only dangerous if they’re attached for a day or longer, but “Powassan virus shows that there’s no safe length of time to have a tick biting you. And blacklegged ticks, the main vector of Powassan virus in our region, are active year-round.

“There are two major differences between Powassan virus and the other tick-borne diseases in our area,” she said. “The first, of course, is that it’s a virus, whereas most of the others are caused by bacteria. While Lyme disease and other bacterial tick-borne disease can be treated with antibiotics, there is no specific treatment or cure for Powassan virus.”

Ticks pick up pathogens from wildlife such as mice, birds and other animals as they feed throughout their life cycle. A tick feeds three times in its life — as a larva, a nymph and an adult. The bites that pose the greatest health risk typically come from nymphs and adult ticks that may already be carrying disease.

Tick-borne diseases are a public health focus in Delaware. More than 350 cases of Lyme disease, the state’s most common tick-borne disease, were reported in 2025. Due to an increase in testing, more than 200 cases of alpha-gal syndrome, another tick-borne illness, have been reported to DPH since it became reportable in Delaware in 2024.

“Defending yourself from ticks is not just about comfort, it’s about health,” said DPH Director Steven Blessing. “By following these simple, effective steps, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from tick bites and tick-borne illnesses, ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer.”

To avoid tick bites:

• Dress smart: When entering wooded or grassy areas, wear long pants, long sleeves, and tuck your pants into socks to minimize exposed skin. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.
• Avoid tick habitats: Avoid walking in tall grass, leaf litter, or in wooded or brushy areas. Walk in the center of trails
• Tick repellent: Use EPA-registered insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on your skin and clothing. This simple step creates an extra layer of protection. When applying insect repellents, always follow product label instructions for applying the repellent. It is generally recommended to avoid applying repellent on a child’s face, hands, and areas that may come into contact with eyes or mouth.
• Tick checks: After enjoying the outdoors, check yourself, your kids and pets for ticks and immediately take a bath or shower. Ticks like to hide in warm, hidden areas, so inspect armpits, groins and behind the knees. If you find a tick, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull it out gently. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or other substances to try to make the tick detach.
• Yard care: Keep your yard tick-free by mowing the lawn regularly, removing leaf piles, and creating a buffer zone with gravel or wood chips between your lawn and wooded areas.
• Pet care: Pet owners should use tick prevention products year-round to protect animals that spend time outdoors. If you’ve been bitten by a tick, clean the area after removing it with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Anyone who develops a fever, rash or flu-like symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite should contact a health care provider.

Knowing what kind of tick was involved can help determine your risk. DNREC encourages residents to save the tick in a sealed bag or take a photo before disposing of it. Photos can be submitted through the Tick Interaction Report at the de.gov/ticks webpage for identification and guidance.

For more information about ticks and tick-borne diseases, visit de.gov/ticks or DPH’s tick-borne disease webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 75,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

About DPH
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com

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A DNREC Tick Program staff member surveys for ticks in a wooded area of northern New Castle County.
Nineteen tick species have been identified in the state, the most prominent the black-legged tick, the lone
star tick and the American dog tick, all known for transmitting tick-borne illness /Delaware DNREC photo

As Delawareans spend more time outdoors this spring and summer, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Division of Public Health (DPH) are reminding residents to take simple steps to avoid tick bites and reduce the risk of tick-borne illness. Ticks are active in Delaware year-round, not just in warmer months, and can be found in wooded, brushy and grassy areas.

While 19 tick species have been identified in Delaware, most are not a concern for people. A handful of species account for most human bites, including the blacklegged tick, lone star tick and American dog tick.

“The blacklegged tick is the one we worry about most,” said State Tick Biologist Dr. Ashley Kennedy of DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section. “It can carry several different pathogens, and in our testing, a much higher percentage of them are infected compared to other species.”

This year’s tick awareness reminder also includes Delaware’s first confirmed detection of Powassan virus in a tick. Powassan is rare but can cause severe illness and can be fatal in rare instances. While research suggests that ticks can transmit Powassan virus to the host in as little as 15 minutes of attachment, the incubation period between when someone is bitten by a tick and when they start to feel sick can range from one to five weeks.

Dr. Kennedy said many people believe ticks are only dangerous if they’re attached for a day or longer, but “Powassan virus shows that there’s no safe length of time to have a tick biting you. And blacklegged ticks, the main vector of Powassan virus in our region, are active year-round.

“There are two major differences between Powassan virus and the other tick-borne diseases in our area,” she said. “The first, of course, is that it’s a virus, whereas most of the others are caused by bacteria. While Lyme disease and other bacterial tick-borne disease can be treated with antibiotics, there is no specific treatment or cure for Powassan virus.”

Ticks pick up pathogens from wildlife such as mice, birds and other animals as they feed throughout their life cycle. A tick feeds three times in its life — as a larva, a nymph and an adult. The bites that pose the greatest health risk typically come from nymphs and adult ticks that may already be carrying disease.

Tick-borne diseases are a public health focus in Delaware. More than 350 cases of Lyme disease, the state’s most common tick-borne disease, were reported in 2025. Due to an increase in testing, more than 200 cases of alpha-gal syndrome, another tick-borne illness, have been reported to DPH since it became reportable in Delaware in 2024.

“Defending yourself from ticks is not just about comfort, it’s about health,” said DPH Director Steven Blessing. “By following these simple, effective steps, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from tick bites and tick-borne illnesses, ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer.”

To avoid tick bites:

• Dress smart: When entering wooded or grassy areas, wear long pants, long sleeves, and tuck your pants into socks to minimize exposed skin. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.
• Avoid tick habitats: Avoid walking in tall grass, leaf litter, or in wooded or brushy areas. Walk in the center of trails
• Tick repellent: Use EPA-registered insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on your skin and clothing. This simple step creates an extra layer of protection. When applying insect repellents, always follow product label instructions for applying the repellent. It is generally recommended to avoid applying repellent on a child’s face, hands, and areas that may come into contact with eyes or mouth.
• Tick checks: After enjoying the outdoors, check yourself, your kids and pets for ticks and immediately take a bath or shower. Ticks like to hide in warm, hidden areas, so inspect armpits, groins and behind the knees. If you find a tick, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull it out gently. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or other substances to try to make the tick detach.
• Yard care: Keep your yard tick-free by mowing the lawn regularly, removing leaf piles, and creating a buffer zone with gravel or wood chips between your lawn and wooded areas.
• Pet care: Pet owners should use tick prevention products year-round to protect animals that spend time outdoors. If you’ve been bitten by a tick, clean the area after removing it with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Anyone who develops a fever, rash or flu-like symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite should contact a health care provider.

Knowing what kind of tick was involved can help determine your risk. DNREC encourages residents to save the tick in a sealed bag or take a photo before disposing of it. Photos can be submitted through the Tick Interaction Report at the de.gov/ticks webpage for identification and guidance.

For more information about ticks and tick-borne diseases, visit de.gov/ticks or DPH’s tick-borne disease webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 75,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

About DPH
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com

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