Ticks Are America’s #1 Pest Threat in 2025. Here’s How to Protect Your Family This Spring.
If it feels like ticks are suddenly all over the news, you’re not imagining it. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) officially named the tick its 2025 “Pest of the Year” after the CDC reported that tick-related emergency room visits hit a five-year high. And with the NPMA’s Spring/Summer 2026 Bug Barometer warning of earlier than usual pest activity nationwide, this season is shaping up to be one of the most active in recent memory.
Whether you’re turning soil in the garden, hiking a trail with the kids, or enjoying a weekend at the campsite, understanding why experts are sounding the alarm—and what you can do about it—is your first line of defense.
Why the NPMA Named Ticks “Pest of the Year”
This wasn’t a casual designation. The NPMA analyzed CDC health data, media coverage, and consumer search behavior to determine which pest had the biggest impact on American life. Ticks topped each category. The reasons are clear:
• ER visits for tick bites reached a five-year peak, signaling that more Americans are encountering ticks in more places than ever before.
• Tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Alpha-gal Syndrome—are expanding geographically, driven by warmer winters and growing deer populations.
• Public awareness is surging, but most people still don’t know how to protect themselves effectively.
“Ticks may be small, but their impact on public health is massive,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, Board-Certified Entomologist and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for NPMA. “From alpha-gal syndrome to Lyme disease to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, these pests carry serious diseases that can affect anyone spending time outdoors.”
The 2026 Tick Forecast: Where’s the Risk Highest?
The NPMA’s Spring/Summer 2026 Bug Barometer—released in late February—warns that an erratic winter has created conditions that favor early and aggressive tick populations across much of the country. While ticks are a nationwide concern, three regions demand particular attention this spring:
The Northeast & Mid-Atlantic
From Maine to Virginia, a mild start to winter means blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) are appearing earlier and in broader areas. This region remains ground zero for Lyme disease, which the CDC estimates affects approximately 476,000 Americans every year.
The Great Lakes & Midwest
States like Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois have seen significant increases in Lyme-carrying tick populations over the past decade. The NPMA expects rising spring temperatures to trigger earlier-than-usual activity this year.
The Southeast & South Central
This is the primary stronghold of the Lone Star tick, which has been expanding its territory northward and westward at an alarming rate. The Lone Star tick is the primary carrier of Alpha-gal Syndrome—the condition that’s putting ticks on the front page.
Beyond the Bite: Two Consequences Every Family Should Know
A tick bite isn’t just an itchy inconvenience. It’s a potential health crisis. Two of the most serious consequences are accelerating across the country:
Lyme Disease
Transmitted primarily by the blacklegged tick, Lyme disease can cause debilitating fatigue, chronic joint pain, and neurological damage if not caught and treated early. There is no licensed human vaccine currently available in the United States. That means prevention is your only reliable defense.
Alpha-gal Syndrome: The Tick Bite That Changes What You Can Eat
This is the one grabbing headlines—and for good reason. Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is a serious, sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction to mammalian meat and dairy products triggered by the bite of a Lone Star tick. One bite can mean never enjoying a burger, steak, or glass of milk again. According to the CDC, an estimated 96,000 to 450,000 Americans may be affected, and cases have increased dramatically in recent years. There is currently no cure—only strict avoidance of triggers.
What makes AGS particularly alarming is that reactions are delayed, often appearing three to six hours after eating, making diagnosis difficult. Many cases go misdiagnosed as food poisoning or irritable bowel syndrome for months or even years.
The EarthKind Difference: 14 Hours of Protection Without Compromise
When it comes to protecting your family from ticks and mosquitoes, you shouldn’t have to choose between “effective” and “safe.” At EarthKind, we apply the same Naturally Smarter® philosophy to personal protection that we bring to every product we make: proven by science, powered by plants, safe for families. *when used as directed
Our Stay Away® Mosquitoes insect repellent is formulated with 20% Picaridin—a bioidentical compound inspired by a molecule found in pepper plants—to deliver an alternative to DEET-based sprays.
Here’s why families across America are making the switch:
• 14-Hour Protection: While many “natural” sprays wear off in minutes, Stay Away® provides a full 14 hours of defense against ticks + mosquitoes, and 8 hours against biting flies, gnats, and chiggers. One application covers your entire adventure.
• Skin-Friendly & Unscented: Forget the harsh “bug spray smell.” Our formula is unscented, non-greasy, and feels more like lotion than repellent. Safe for the whole family, including children and during pregnancy, when used as directed.
• Built for Real Adventures: Water-resistant and non-flammable, Stay Away® is the perfect companion for the campfire, the lake, the garden bed, or the trail.
• Gentle on Your Gear: Unlike DEET, which is known to dissolve plastics and damage synthetic fabrics, Picaridin is safe for your clothing, backpacks, and outdoor equipment.
Smart Habits + Smart Protection = A Worry-Free Season
No single strategy stops ticks on its own. The most effective defense combines smart outdoor habits with high-performance, skin-friendly repellent:
1. Apply Stay Away® Mosquitoes before heading outdoors. One application in the morning protects you through dinner.
2. Stick to cleared paths when hiking and avoid walking through tall grass, brush piles, or leaf litter where ticks wait at ankle and knee height.
3. Perform a full-body tick check within two hours of coming indoors. Pay special attention to the hairline, behind the ears, underarms, and behind the knees.
4. Shower soon after outdoor activity. Studies show that showering within two hours reduces the risk of tick attachment.
5. Tumble-dry clothing on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may have hitched a ride home.
Don’t Wait for a “Pest of the Year” to Find You
Spring is here, and ticks are already active. With ER visits at a five-year high, Alpha-gal cases surging, and the NPMA warning of an early and aggressive season, this is the year to take tick protection seriously.
The good news? EarthKind’s Stay Away® Mosquitoes gives you 14 hours of proven, family-safe, gear-friendly protection in a single application. Because the best outdoor moments shouldn’t come with a health risk attached.
