Tick-Borne Illnesses in Kentucky:
A Growing Concern
Compiled by Four Seasons Pest Solutions Staff
08/22/2025
Alarming Trends in Tick-borne Disease Cases
- Overall surge: Kentucky has seen a dramatic 128% increase in reported tick-borne diseases from 2020 (160 cases) to 2023 (364 cases).
- Lyme disease spikes: Cases of Lyme disease in particular have risen by approximately 275%, climbing from 32 cases in 2020 to 120 in 2023.
- Beyond Lyme: Other illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and ehrlichiosis are also increasing, though detailed numbers are less clear.
- New Diseases: Alphagal Syndrome is on the rise, causing allergic reactions to mammalian meats and byproducts.
This data indicates that tick bite cases are also likely on the rise, emphasizing the need for proactive tick control.
Tick Surveillance & New Findings
- A 2024 field survey collected 160 blacklegged (deer) ticks; 40 tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi (the Lyme agent), and 2 tested positive for Borrelia miyamotoi, marking the first detection of this pathogen in Kentucky.
- The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology have expanded surveillance efforts: as of 2024, established blacklegged tick populations were confirmed in 19 counties.
- Kentucky now ranks among the top 25 U.S. states with the most ticks and tick-borne illness risk, according to a 2024 report.
- Several types of ticks are on the “population rise” in the Commonwealth.
Environmental Drivers & Public Perception
- Geographical expansion of blacklegged ticks aligns with broader regional patterns, from the Northeast and upper Midwest toward Kentucky and beyond.
- Warmer, more humid conditions support tick survival and may lengthen tick exposure seasons.
- Online observations echo these trends; many Kentuckians report heightened tick activity early in the season, attributing it to milder winters and changing climate patterns:
“Ticks are going to be bad this year … El Niño effect meant a milder winter…”.
As humans encroach upon nature and move closer to where ticks thrive, or bring landscaping close to homes that would support tick life, more and more tick bites and tick-borne illnesses will be reported. Learning a few personal protection measures to prevent tick bites and familiarizing yourself with insect repellants for ticks will become more necessary for Kentucky residents.
Surveillance Challenges & Caveats
- Not all reported increases reflect actual Lyme disease cases. Insurance-claim-based trends may be misleading, as Lyme diagnoses are sometimes reported even when unconfirmed, due to expensive testing and possible false positives.
- The most common local tick species in Kentucky remain the Lone Star and American dog tick, which carry other diseases (e.g., alpha-gal syndrome, ehrlichiosis), not Lyme. Blacklegged ticks are still comparatively less frequent.
What You Can Do: Prevention & Response
- Protect yourself: Use EPA-registered repellents (DEET, picaridin, etc.), treat clothing and gear with permethrin, and perform thorough tick checks after outdoor activities.
- Surveillance participation: Residents can submit tick samples to the Kentucky Tick Surveillance Project via the University of Kentucky to help improve understanding of tick spread and disease risk.
- Educate healthcare providers: Many providers lack familiarity with tick-borne diseases. Increased awareness and adherence to the CDC’s case definitions can enhance both diagnosis and public health tracking.
Conclusion
The 2020s have brought a clear upswing in tick-borne illnesses in Kentucky, especially Lyme disease and Alpha-gal. Factors such as tick range expansion, warming temperatures, and better surveillance play roles in this trend. While diagnosis and reporting complexities temper some figures, the trajectory remains concerning. Continued surveillance, public education, and prevention efforts are essential to meet this growing public health challenge.
What does this mean for you?
- Tick season may now last longer and be more concerning.
- You should learn how to get rid of ticks.
- Education on the dangers of ticks is becoming increasingly important.
- Familiarizing yourself with tick facts is essential.
- Adopting DIY control methods should take precedence.
- Be on the lookout for ticks on your pets.
Don’t be caught off guard. Education is important, and Four Seasons Pest Solutions has you covered. We have tick control for any setting, any lawn, any time. Whether your goal is to protect your pets, your children, yourself, or all of the above, we have your back! Isn’t it nice to have Four Seasons on your side?
And remember, it’s okay to live among pests… but you don’t have to live with them!
