Ticks are more than a nuisance in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public Health tracks several tick-borne diseases and notes that many people pick up ticks in their own yards. Here's what's reported, how to prevent bites and how to remove a tick. For yard and home treatment, see flea and tick control, or our main pest control page for Prattville.
Tick-borne diseases in Alabama
ADPH reported 124 tick-borne disease cases in Alabama in 2023:
| Disease | 2023 cases |
|---|---|
| Spotted fever rickettsiosis | 81 |
| Lyme disease | 36 |
| Ehrlichiosis | 4 |
| Anaplasmosis, babesiosis, tularemia | 1 each |
Source: Alabama Department of Public Health.
Symptoms like fever, chills, aches, fatigue and rash can resemble the flu, so ADPH says these illnesses are often misdiagnosed. See a healthcare provider if a rash or fever follows a tick bite.
Preventing bites
- use EPA-registered repellents, following the label, and don't use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD products on children under 3
- treat boots, clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin, or buy pretreated items
- avoid tall grass and leaf litter, and walk in the center of trails
- check pets, coats and daypacks before coming inside
After coming indoors
- tumble-dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes, longer if damp
- shower within two hours
- do a full-body check, including under the arms, behind the ears, the belly button, behind the knees, in the hair and around the waist, and check children too
Removing a tick
Remove attached ticks as soon as possible. ADPH says a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers works very well. Afterward, watch for a rash or fever over the next several days to weeks. Homes next to woods and fields, like parts of Kingston Hills and Pine Level, benefit most from yard treatment and regular checks.
Making the yard less tick-friendly
The EPA points homeowners to the CDC's idea of "tick-safe zones." In practice that means mowing regularly, clearing leaf litter and brush, keeping play sets and patios away from wooded edges, and using a strip of wood chips or gravel where the lawn meets the woods. Ticks wait in tall grass, brush and leaf litter, so less of that near the house means fewer ticks.
Pets bring ticks indoors
ADPH warns that ticks can hitch a ride inside on pets and later attach to people. Check dogs after walks, especially around the ears, neck and between the toes, and talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention. See fleas in the house for indoor pest steps.