5 Tick Infested Areas In Alabama

Mild winters, wet weather, and sustained warmth are hallmarks of Alabama summers, which are also ideal conditions that set the stage for tick infestations across the state. While specific species of ticks vary across the US, two of the most prevalent tick species in Alabama are the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick.

Although tiny, many harbor dangerous bacteria that can spread to their host, leading to illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, and rashes, with some tick-borne illnesses becoming severe or life-threatening if not treated. The overview covers regions in Alabama with new, elevated, or increasing tick populations and outlines important safety information for outdoor activities.

Northwest Alabama

Alabama's Northwest region, home to the recording industry's legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, is characterized by its wooded paths, shaded streams, and hot, humid summer weather, making it a particular area of concern for tickborne illnesses. This region is known for the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), which spreads spotted fever rickettsiosis, the state's most commonly reported tickborne illness, with seven cases reported in the region in 2024.

Other tick species present in this area of the state are the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), recognized for transmitting Lyme disease, which ranks second in the state with four reported cases in Northwest Alabama in 2024. Additionally, the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is a particularly aggressive species commonly found in wooded areas, leaf litter, tall grass, and shaded yards.

Some well-known hiking and camping sites in Northwest Alabama noted for elevated activity due to their tick-friendly habitat include Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve located in Tuscumbia, AL, and Bankhead National Forest in Double Springs, AL near Birmingham.

Central Alabama

Located just south of Birmingham in Pelham, Alabama is Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park featuring vast expanses of forest and edge habitats where deer casually graze, serving as an ideal host for ticks. Two species of ticks that thrive in the biodiverse habitat of Central Alabama, known for its blend of mixed pine, hardwood forests, and fertile river bottomlands, are the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick.

The blacklegged tick, commonly referred to as the "blacklegged deer tick," has the potential to transmit Lyme disease to its host. If not treated, this disease can lead to symptoms that can advance through various stages. As its name suggests, the blacklegged deer tick is commonly found on white-tailed deer, which are abundant in Central Alabama. The lone star tick can also transmit numerous illnesses reported in this region including Ehrlichiosis, which can be life threatening if not addressed promptly. By far the most prevalent tick in the state, the lone star tick makes up over 97 percent of tick encounters in Central Alabama and is found in both shaded areas along walkways and trails, as well as areas with little to no tree cover, such as grassy fields.

Talladega National Forest is a central destination for the aggressive lone star ticks. The lush, wooded landscape, paired with high humidity and abundance of host animals, is ideal for the ticks to complete their life cycle.

Northeast Alabama

At the southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeast Alabama, people and their pets enjoy the warm, humid climate and the natural beauty of shaded trails, expansive mountains, and dense forests. However, these favorable conditions also support thriving tick populations.

The most common tick found in this region is the lone star tick, followed closely by the American dog tick, which can infect its host with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. According to Alabama Public Health, 10 cases of this tickborne illness were reported in Northeast Alabama in 2024. They're commonly found in natural attractions such as Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, AL and Desoto State Park in Fort Payne, AL, where canopied trails, thick hardwood forests, and abundant wildlife serve as host to the ticks. These insects pose a threat not only to human health but also to animal health.

As of April 2026, a new tick species native to eastern Asia, the Asian Longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), has made Alabama its home. They're gravitating toward areas abundant with tall grass, weeds, and dense underbrush, including grassy fields, overgrown pastures, and heavily wooded areas. Detected on a dog in Northeast Alabama’s DeKalb Country, this invasive species alternates between hosts and the environment, feeding on humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Although smaller than a sesame seed, it can spread at extremely rapid rates, posing a risk of Theileria orientalis, a significant livestock pathogen causing anemia, weakness, and occasionally death in cattle.

The Asian longhorned tick has not been confirmed as a significant vector of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in the United States. In Alabama, anaplasmosis cases are rare and are primarily associated with the blacklegged tick, with only one case reported by Alabama Public Health in 2024 in Northeast Alabama. The illness can cause flu-like symptoms and fatigue and, in severe cases, may lead to neurological or organ complications.

The Black Belt Region

Stretching across the lower-central part of the state is Alabama's Black Belt region, known for its dark, rich soil, mix of grassland and forest, and abundant white-tailed deer and other wildlife, all of which support high tick densities. This region covers 19 counties, stretching from the Chattahoochee River in the east westward to the Mississippi border. The most common ticks are the lone star tick and the blacklegged tick, both known carriers of Ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. According to Alabama Public Health, this region had two reported cases of Ehrlichiosis and three reported cases of Lyme disease in 2024.

State parks, grasslands, and overgrown city lots form high-exposure areas, while the thick underbrush in the Black Belt region’s many pine forests creates the ideal humid microclimate for these ticks to populate. Nature enthusiasts exploring densely wooded state parks such as Roland Cooper State Park in Wilcox County, AL, or Bladon Springs State Park in Choctaw County, AL are at risk of encountering ticks. Additionally, the undergrowth and wooded edges that are commonly found across Marengo, Greene, and Sumter counties can expose humans and animals to the risk of tick bites and the diseases they may carry.

Gulf Coast Region

Alabama's Gulf Coast region is a popular destination for beach lovers visiting areas like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but its sunny, open spaces and hot, humid environment also foster favorable conditions for ticks. In addition to Alabama's more prevalent ticks, such as the American dog tick and lone star tick, the appropriately named Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) is found in this region. While it prefers to feed on large hosts such as livestock, deer, and coyotes, it will also attach to humans and pets if given the opportunity.

Gulf Coast ticks are not carriers of Lyme disease, but an estimated 10 percent do carry their own harmful pathogen, Rickettsia parkeri. This bacterium causes a spotted fever in humans similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though generally less severe. No known cases have been reported to date in Alabama, however, they have been reported in all neighboring states including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi. While you may not find them tanning alongside you on Alabama’s sandy beaches, they are especially common near roadsides, grasslands and prairies, newly cleared land, and wetland borders commonly found in this coastal region.

Due to a mild winter, experts at the University of South Alabama report that tick activity began earlier than usual this spring in southern Alabama, and stress the importance of taking protective precautions when visiting the Gulf Shores or similar areas.

Keep In Mind Some Tick Prevention Tips

Tick populations may be elevated or on the rise in Alabama, but there are several precautions you can take to help prevent tick bites and the diseases they can spread. If possible, avoid wooded and brushy regions with tall grass and leaf litter. If you are in these areas, apply clothing and gear treatments with products that contain 0.5% permethrin and use EPA-registered insect repellents. A helpful "good to know" resource is Alabama's Tick Risk and Forecast, which allows users to check their zip code for local tick activity, real-time risk levels, and prevention insights.

If you do find a tick on your body, the Alabama Department of Public Health recommends using the interactive CDC Tick Bite Guide, which evaluates whether or not you need to be seen by a healthcare provider after being bitten. Taking a few preventive measures and understanding what to do should you come across a tick can help ensure a safer, healthier, and tick-free season.