Tick season runs April to October. Of nearly 100 tick species in the U.S., only a few bite humans and can spread illness. We asked St. Louisans how they are getting ready.
Tick are fairly common: 1 in 3 St. Louis households have been affected
Of St. Louis adults surveyed, 34% reported that they or someone in their household had ever found a tick on their bodies. This was lower than among North Carolina (53%) and Mississippi (46%) adults surveyed, and higher than those surveyed in Atlanta, GA (12%). Across adults in 5 states, finding a tick was more likely to be reported by White respondents (68%) vs. Hispanic (26%) and Black (16%) respondents, as well as by rural (57%) vs. urban residents (32%). About 1 in 7 St. Louis adults (15%) reported finding a tick on themselves or someone in their home in the last year.
What steps do St. Louisans take to prevent tick bites?
Three in four (75%) St. Louisans reported precautions against tick bites. About half said they check their bodies after spending time outdoors (52%), and/or use tick repellent (49%). Some reported showering soon after coming indoors (36%).
Most St. Louisans don’t know about alpha-gal syndrome
Tick bites can have serious consequences. One of them is alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). After a bite from a lone star tick, some experience AGS, which is a serious and potentially life-threating allergy to eating red meat or other animal products. In St. Louis, only 38% of adults surveyed had heard about alpha-gal syndrome.
Across all five states, just 29% of respondents were aware of it. Missouri had the highest awareness, followed by Mississippi (29%), Nebraska (26%), North Carolina (22%), and Georgia (18%). White respondents were more likely to have heard of AGS than Hispanic or Black respondents (47% vs 28% vs 15%).
How common is alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)?
AGS is mostly linked to bites from the lone star tick. It is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic condition. Symptoms occur after consuming red meat or animal products. Between 2017 and 2022, about 295,000 people were tested for alpha-gal in the U.S., and 30% tested positive. The number of people affected by AGS is currently unknown, but the CDC estimates that from 2010-2023, 96,000–450,000 people in the United States may have developed the condition. As the lone-star tick moves into more areas, AGS cases are expected to increase.
Help protect St. Louisans from tick bites
Community organizations in St. Louis can share the resources below to protect residents from tick bites by staying away from tall grass, wearing protective clothing outside, and using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent if necessary.
Click here for a printable (PDF) verison tick prevention resources.
About this week’s report
This week’s alert is based on a survey of 590 adult residents in St. Louis, MO (n = 198), Omaha, NE (n = 86), Atlanta, GA (n = 75), North Carolina (n=73), and Mississippi (n=158) conducted from May 24-26, 2025. Explore these data and more at iHeardSTL.
Want to help spread the word? Download the graphics below to share about this topic.
Suggested caption:
Always do a tick check after outdoor hikes and activities! If you find one, remove it with tweezers.
#iHeardSTL #TickSeason #TickSafety
Suggested caption:
Only 38% of St. Louisans have heard of Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne condition!
Protect yourself from tick bites by staying away from high grass, wearing protective clothing outside, and using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent.
#iHeardSTL #TickSeason #TickSafety #AlphagalSyndrome
Have a question, comment, or feedback? Let us know! One of our team members will reach out directly.