5 Tick Infested Areas In Virginia

There are twelve different tick-borne diseases circulating through Virginia, per its Department of Health. Ticks are active almost year-round in Virginia, making it one of America's more prevalent sources of tick-borne illness. These illnesses include Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Alpha-gal Syndrome, and Ehrlichiosis. Out of 16 different tick species in Virginia, only a handful commonly bite people: the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), and Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum). Here are where you're most likely to encounter one of these troublesome critters.

Prince William County

Prince William County lies within Northern Virginia along the Potomac River. It contains a mix of hardwood forest, tidal wetlands, and dense wildlife corridors that support substantial deer and small mammal populations. Prince William County is home to four species of ticks: the lone star tick, blacklegged tick, American dog tick, and Gulf Coast tick. Sites such as the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge provide the leaf litter, understory vegetation, and humid microclimates that support tick activity throughout much of the year. Ticks are particularly common within tall grasses in the refuge.

Blacklegged ticks are the primary vector for Lyme disease in the county, with risk highest during the nymph stage when ticks are small and difficult to detect. Infection occurs when larvae or nymphs feed on infected hosts such as white-footed mice, after which the bacteria can be transmitted during subsequent feedings.

Shenandoah National Park

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. They extend 615 miles from Pennsylvania to Georgia, ranging in elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. The four most common species of ticks found in the Blue Ridge Mountains are the blacklegged tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick. The blacklegged tick is the most common in the region, inhabiting the deciduous forests, tall grasslands, and shrubs bordering forest edges.

Shenandoah National Park is a preserve comprising 311 square miles in the Blue Ridge Highlands. Blacklegged ticks are found here, often on tall grass and shrubby undergrowth where they will wait on the edges of leaves for a passing host to attach to, such as deer and other mammals. Lyme Disease, which is carried by the blacklegged tick, is known to be transmitted and contracted in Shenandoah National Park. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever has also been transmitted within Shenandoah National Park, which is carried by the American dog tick.

Fauquier County

Fauquier County is in the north-central Piedmont region of Virginia. The terrain is characterized by rolling farmland and forested edges at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sky Meadows State Park is composed of fields and meadows hugging the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. Access to these fields and forests is provided through a series of nature trails which follow the ridgeline towards the Appalachian Trail.

Three species of ticks have been identified as plentiful in population within the park: the blacklegged tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick. Blacklegged ticks are most commonly associated with leaf litter and vegetation on the forest floor. Lone star ticks can be found in elevations up to 1,600 feet, such as the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Sky Meadows State Park. The American dog tick will more likely be found in the open areas with less tree cover, such as the edges of the trails and in the fields with medium-height grass.

Chesterfield County

The borders of Chesterfield County are primarily defined by the James River to the north and the Appomattox River to the south. Here, blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks are the most common. These species inhabit the forest leaf litter and shaded, grassy areas of Chesterfield County, specifically in Friends of Pocahontas State Park.

The American dog tick is also known to inhabit the park, making Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever a concern. When strolling the county's wilder areas, beware of ticks engaging in “questing” behavior, resting on tips of grasses to ambush passing hosts.

Franklin County

Franklin County is in the Blue Ridge foothills of Virginia. The blacklegged tick and the lone star tick are the most common species in this region of Virginia. The Booker T. Washington National Monument, a popular tourist destination, lies within the county. The monument preserves portions of a 207-acre tobacco farm with many plantings around its buildings, which can act as tick habitats. Blacklegged ticks are carriers for Lyme disease, whereas lone star tick bites can lead to Alpha-gal Syndrome. This is a condition in which people develop an allergy to red meat and dairy because of particular sugar molecules in these foods.

There are also several nearby trails, including the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail, which is specifically known for the presence of ticks. Visitors should exercise caution when walking these trails to avoid brushing grasses and branches, which can harbor questing ticks.

Ticks in Virginia

In Virginia, tick activity is highest from spring through early fall, but species such as blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks can remain active during mild winters. To minimize risk, wearing long clothing, using insect repellent, and performing consistent and thorough body checks help. Exercising caution and avoiding contact with likely tick habitats are also important. Virginia residents can report tick encounters or seek local guidance through the Virginia Department of Health, which provides region-specific information on tick activity across the state.