05/13/2026
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month 💚🕷️
We’re deep in tick season here in the Shenandoah Valley, and Virginia is a hotspot for Lyme disease. The CDC estimates 476,000+ Americans are diagnosed with Lyme each year, and cases peak May through July.
Why it matters in Wi******er/Frederick County:
Virginia had over 1,500 confirmed Lyme cases last year, and our woods, trails, and even suburban backyards are prime tick habitat. Blacklegged ticks, aka deer ticks, spread Lyme here.
It would be simple enough to treat if every person who gets bitten by a tick develops a bullseye rash. Then ER physicians would immediately prescribe the necessary initial 28 day round of Doxycycline that will kill the bacteria in the early stages. Unfortunately, MOST people DO NOT develop a bullseye rash or any symptoms whatsoever until a couple of months later, and MOST physicians don't prescribe the necessary 28 day course of treatment.
How to stay safe outdoors:
Before you go out: Treat clothes/gear with 0.5% permethrin. Use EPA-registered repellents with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Stick to the center of trails and avoid tall grass/brush
After coming inside: Shower within 2 hours, do a full-body tick check, and toss clothes in dryer on high for 10 min
Don’t forget pets: Talk to your vet about tick prevention. Check dogs/cats daily!
Mosquitoes also carry Lyme, so keep spraying that bug spray and do not let mosquitoes breed anywhere near your property!
Found a tick? Do this:
Remove with fine-tipped tweezers: grasp close to skin, pull straight up with steady pressure
Clean the bite + your hands with soap/water or alcohol
Save the tick: Put it in a sealed bag with a damp paper towel. Date it. This helps if symptoms develop
Watch for symptoms 3-30 days after a bite: Bull’s-eye rash occurs in 70-80% of cases, but not everyone gets one. Also watch for fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, neck stiffness, or joint swelling. Caught early, Lyme is treated with antibiotics.
Testing the tick:
Virginia Tech Tick Testing: The Virginia Cooperative Extension offers tick ID and testing. Mail ticks to: Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory, 205 Duck Pond Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Cost ∼$60. Visit vtechworks.lib.vt.edu for submission form
TickCheck.com & TickReport: Private labs that test for Lyme + other diseases. Results in 3-5 days. ∼$50-$200 depending on panel
Frederick County Extension Office: 107 N Kent St, Wi******er | 540-665-5699. Free tick ID and local guidance
VA Dept of Health: vdh.virginia.gov/ticks for Virginia-specific maps and data.
Lyme is preventable and treatable if caught early. Let’s keep each other safe this summer — share this post to spread awareness in our community.
Stay safe out there, Wi******er 💚
******erVA