Ticks in Florida

Florida, often referred to as the "Sunshine State," is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse landscapes, ranging from stunning beaches to lush forests and expansive wetlands, Florida offers a wealth of outdoor recreational areas for visitors and residents alike. Unfortunately, Florida is also home to a wide variety of dangerous ticks.

Ticks that live in Florida may include the blacklegged tick (deer tick), American dog tick, brown dog tick, Lone Star tick, Asian longhorned tick, poultry tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, Cayenne tick, Gulf Coast tick, and Pacific Coast tick. As ticks actively expand their habitats across the United States designating defined geographical regions as the sole place of residence of any given tick is becoming a fleeting challenge.

Ticks in Florida are a threat everywhere, from the deep forest to urban backyards. These lethal arachnids employ a behavior known as "questing", a passive strategy where they position themselves in vegetation, such as tall grasses or shrubs, and wait for a potential host to pass by.

Ticks have specialized sensory organs located on their legs, known as Haller's organs, which can detect stimuli such as heat, carbon dioxide, vibrations, and odor. When a human or animal approaches a waiting tick senses these stimuli and reacts by extending its legs outward, latching on as you pass by.

Once a tick has hitched a ride, it will crawl to a secluded location on your body, attach, and feed on your blood. Ticks secrete a unique substance that prevents you from feeling their bite, so they can feast unnoticed. Disease transmission may occur.

Popular outdoor areas in Florida that are also home to ticks:

Florida's crown jewel is its extensive coastline, stretching over 1,300 miles. The state is renowned for its beautiful beaches, attracting sun-seekers, surfers, and beachcombers from around the world. From the vibrant shores of Miami Beach to the pristine sands of Clearwater Beach and the peaceful tranquility of Sanibel Island, Florida offers a beach experience for every preference. Visitors can soak up the sun, swim in the turquoise waters, build sandcastles, or indulge in water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Inland, Florida is home to a network of state parks that showcase the state's natural beauty and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. One such example is Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an international biosphere reserve. Covering 1.5 million acres, the Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Visitors can explore its vast wetlands by airboat, kayak, or canoe, marvel at the rich diversity of flora and fauna, and spot iconic wildlife such as alligators, manatees, and the elusive Florida panther.

Another notable outdoor destination is the Florida Keys, a string of tropical islands located off the southern coast. The Florida Keys offer a unique blend of stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts flock to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the United States. Here, visitors can explore the vibrant coral reefs, encounter colorful tropical fish, and even snorkel or dive to see the famous Christ of the Abyss statue.

For those seeking a different kind of adventure, Florida's diverse ecosystems provide ample opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting. Ocala National Forest, located in central Florida, is a sprawling wilderness with over 600 lakes, rivers, and springs. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike through the forest, swim in crystal-clear springs like Silver Springs or Juniper Springs, and even spot wild black bears and the rare Florida scrub-jay.

The Florida Panhandle offers breathtaking coastal dune lakes and expansive state parks. Grayton Beach State Park, known for its sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters, offers a range of outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, paddling, and hiking. Meanwhile, Torreya State Park showcases unique bluffs along the Apalachicola River and offers challenging hiking trails amidst the stunning forested landscape.

Florida's outdoor recreational areas are as diverse as the state itself. From its magnificent beaches and marine sanctuaries to its lush forests and wetlands, Florida offers something for everyone. Whether you prefer sun-soaked beach days, thrilling water sports, wildlife encounters, or serene hikes, Florida's outdoor destinations provide endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation.

So, grab your hiking boots, sunscreen, sense of adventure, and go experience all that Florida has to offer. Just don’t forget your tick repellent. The wide variety of human biting ticks that call Florida home commonly transmit over a dozen tick-borne diseases. Ticks are out there ruining lives every day, do not become a statistic.

Ticks in Florida transmit conditions such as Lyme disease, tularemia, babesiosis, tick paralysis, Powassan virus, Heartland virus, Colorado tick fever, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, anaplasmosis, and Alfa gal allergy.

Major cities in Florida that are home to ticks include Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie, Cape Coral, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Gainesville, Coral Springs, Miami Gardens, Clearwater, Palm Bay, Pompano Beach, and West Palm Beach.