If you’ve stepped outside for a hike, spent some time working in the yard, or had a getaway to the cabin this year, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve already had at least one run-in with a tick. Minnesota is in the middle of one of its most active tick seasons in years, and health officials are asking residents to pay closer attention than usual.
According to MPR News, Minnesota health officials have reported an increase in emergency room visits related to tick bites this year, which is a trend that’s been tied to rising seasonal temperatures. Nymphal deer ticks (the tiny, poppy-seed-sized ticks responsible for most Lyme disease cases) may carry a higher prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in 2026, and that statewide trend has been climbing upward ever since 2000. About 30 percent of black-legged ticks in Minnesota are currently infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and in the month of April, the emergency room visits for tick bites were the highest that they’ve been since 2017.
Hennepin, Washington, Ramsey, Anoka, and Dakota counties are currently among the areas with the highest Lyme disease case counts in the entire state, which means many of our own patients here at Entira Family Clinics are right in the middle of it all. That’s why we created this helpful guide…to help you recognize the early Lyme disease symptoms that you should watch for, understand how ticks spread illness, and know when it’s time to come see us.
Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be a Bigger Tick Year in Minnesota
Tick populations rise and fall along with the weather, and ticks tend to thrive after a wet summer. According to the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, nymphal deer ticks may have a higher prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses this year, since ticks have a three-year
life cycle from egg to larva to nymph to adult. Warm days in April brought adult ticks out early, especially once daytime temperatures climbed above 60 degrees, and CBS Minnesota has reported that tick bite activity has been well above average throughout the state this season. For our patients, this means it’s more important than ever to know the tick bites Minnesota residents are most likely to experience, where the highest-risk areas are, and what to do if you find a tick attached to your skin.
Common Lyme Disease Symptoms to Watch For
One of the most important things that you can do this season is learn to recognize the early Lyme disease symptoms before they progress. The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease vary from person to person, and not everyone is going to experience every symptom on this list. Within three to 30 days of a deer tick bite, you may notice:
● A distinctive, expanding rash at the site of the bite (often called erythema migrans)
● Fever and chills
● Headache
● Muscle and joint pain
● Fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell (malaise)
If Lyme disease symptoms go unnoticed or untreated, they can continue to progress in the days or weeks that follow and can then start to include joint swelling and pain (especially in the knees), facial palsy, heart palpitations, and neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, or difficulty
concentrating. Catching Lyme disease symptoms early on is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health.
Understanding Deer Ticks and How Lyme Disease Spreads
Lyme disease is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, most commonly known as a deer tick. These ticks are usually found in wooded, brushy areas and tall grass, including the kind of habitat that’s found throughout much of the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota areas.
They don’t jump or fly. Instead, they wait on grass or brush and latch onto a person or pet as they walk past. A deer tick generally needs to be attached for at least 24 to 48 hours before it can transmit the Lyme disease bacteria, which is exactly why fast tick checks and quick removal are so important. The nymph stage (which is roughly the size of a poppy seed) is responsible for the majority of Lyme disease cases because it’s so easy to miss on the skin.
When It’s Time to See a Doctor for a Tick Bite
It may be time to schedule a visit if you notice any of the following after spending time outdoors:
- A tick that has been attached to your skin for 24 hours or longer
- A rash, especially one that continues to expand over several days
- Flu-like symptoms that appear within a few weeks of a tick bite
- Joint pain, swelling, or heart palpitations with no other clear cause
If you’re experiencing any of these Lyme disease symptoms, don’t wait it out. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics is highly effective, especially when Lyme disease is caught in its earlier stages.
Simple Tick Bite Prevention Tips
The good news is that a few simple habits can go a long way toward keeping ticks off of you and your family this season.
- Use an EPA-registered repellent. Products containing DEET or permethrin are very effective at keeping ticks from latching on.
- Wear light-colored clothing. It makes it much easier to spot a tick before it has a chance to attach.
- Tuck your pants into your socks or boots. This creates a barrier that ticks have a harder time crossing.
- Do a full tick check. Check yourself, your kids, and your pets carefully after any time that’s spent in wooded or grassy areas.
- Shower after coming inside. A shower within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off any unattached ticks.
- Stick to trails when you can. Avoid brushing up against tall grass and leaf litter, which are prime tick habitats.
- Taking these precautions seriously is one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of tick bites and the Lyme disease symptoms that can follow.
How to Remove a Tick the Right Way
If you do find a tick attached to your skin, how you remove it is just as important as how quickly you do it. Careful follow these steps to remove a tick:
Step 1: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible
Step 2: Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick
Step 3: Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water
Step 4: Never use petroleum jelly, a lit match, or nail polish to try to remove a tick
Once it’s removed, keep an eye on the bite site for several weeks and note the date, in case you need to share that information with your provider.
How We Help Our Patients at Entira Family Clinics
We’re a group of family medicine clinics serving patients across the Twin Cities, and tick season is something that we take very seriously every single year. If you’ve found a tick, been bitten, or are noticing symptoms that concern you, our providers are here to listen and help you figure out what’s
going on, and what your next steps should be. When we evaluate possible Lyme disease symptoms, we start with a conversation about your
exposure, your symptoms, and your overall health history. From there, we can order the right testing and, if needed, start treatment right away. Because counties like Hennepin, Washington, Ramsey, Anoka, and Dakota currently have among the highest Lyme disease case counts in the
state, we encourage our patients across the metro to stay especially vigilant this season. If you’ve been bitten by a tick or are noticing symptoms that concern you, schedule a visit with one of our providers. Together, we can look into the next steps so you can get back to enjoying your Minnesota summer with greater peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
The classic Lyme disease rash, known as erythema migrans, usually starts as a small red spot at
the site of the bite and gradually expands over several days, sometimes reaching several inches
across. It can appear solid red or have a clearer center, though the classic bullseye shape isn’t
always present. Not everyone who is infected develops a visible rash, which is why it’s important to
watch for other Lyme disease symptoms as well.
A deer tick generally needs to be attached for at least 24 to 48 hours before it can transmit the
bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This is why prompt tick checks after spending time outdoors,
and quick removal if you find one, are so important. If you are unsure how long the tick has been
attached, it’s best to contact a doctor.
Early Lyme disease symptoms typically appear within three to 30 days of a tick bite. Later
symptoms, including joint pain and neurological issues, can show up days to weeks after the initial
infection if it isn’t caught and treated early on.
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, then pull straight up with
slow, steady pressure. Avoid twisting, jerking, or using home remedies like petroleum jelly or a lit
match, which can cause the tick to release more saliva into the bite.
Yes. Most cases of Lyme disease are effectively treated with a course of antibiotics, especially
when it’s caught early. That’s part of why recognizing the early signs matters so much, and why we
encourage patients not to wait if they suspect they’ve been exposed.
