Tick-borne diseases are a growing concern in New England, and babesiosis is one you shouldn’t overlook. While Lyme disease often steals the spotlight, babesiosis is increasingly common—especially in areas with high deer tick populations. Understanding what babesiosis is, how it spreads, and where it's most prevalent can help you take steps to protect your family and pets. Finally, we'll cover essential prevention tips to keep your yard safe and tick-free.
What Is Babesiosis?
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. In the United States, the primary culprit is Babesia microti, transmitted by black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks).
Unlike some tick-borne illnesses, babesiosis can range from mild to severe, with symptoms including fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, and muscle aches. In severe cases—especially in older adults or those with weakened immune systems—it can lead to complications like anemia or organ damage.
For the latest medical details, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A black-legged tick, the primary carrier of babesiosis, crawling on a leaf.
How Do You Get Babesiosis?
Most cases of babesiosis occur when a tick carrying the parasite bites a person, transmitting Babesia into the bloodstream. The primary carrier, the black-legged tick, is also responsible for spreading Lyme disease.
Ticks become infected by feeding on small mammals like white-footed mice, which serve as reservoirs for Babesia microti. Once infected, a tick can transmit the parasite to humans during a bite—often during the warmer months when ticks are most active.
There have also been rare cases of babesiosis spreading through blood transfusions and from mother to baby during pregnancy. The American Red Cross has implemented screening measures to reduce this risk in donated blood.
Where Is Babesiosis Most Common?
Babesiosis is primarily found in the Northeast and upper Midwest, with New England being a hotspot. States like Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have reported increasing cases, particularly in coastal and wooded areas where ticks thrive.
Researchers have noted a steady rise in tick-borne illnesses due to warmer winters and expanding tick habitats. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health tracks reported cases and provides region-specific updates.
How to Protect Yourself from Babesiosis
Since there’s no vaccine for babesiosis, prevention is the best defense. Reducing tick exposure in your yard and personal habits can significantly lower your risk.
Yard Protection:
- Keep grass mowed and remove leaf litter where ticks hide.
- Create a tick-safe zone with mulch or gravel barriers between wooded areas and your lawn.
- Treat your yard with professional tick control services to reduce tick populations.
Babesiosis-inflected ticks can hide in leaf litter.
Personal Protection:
- Wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing when spending time in wooded areas.
- Use EPA-approved tick repellents, such as those containing DEET or permethrin.
- Perform thorough tick checks after outdoor activities, especially in high-risk months.
For more prevention tips, visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Take Action: Protect Your Yard from Ticks
Babesiosis may be on the rise, but you don’t have to let ticks take over your yard. Mainely Grass provides effective tick control solutions to keep your outdoor space safer for you and your family.
