Ticks and fleas are among the biggest nuisances that could ruin any outdoor activity. Individuals must be vigilant about such parasites to protect themselves, their family members, and pets from potential tick and flea-borne illnesses. Knowing where ticks and pests live could help determine which places to avoid, especially if one has adverse reactions to bites from ticks and fleas. Note that cities in these seven states contain the highest tick and flea populations.

1. Texas
If an individual lives in any Texas city they are likely to come across infestations from ticks and fleas. The size of the state is so big that one sees various climate zones in different places, including hot semi-arid climates along the border of Mexico. The eastern part of the state experiences humid subtropical climates. In either case, pets and humans are at risk of tick and flea diseases. Between 2004 and 2016, there were about 2,000 cases of tick-borne disease. However, the number is potentially higher today.

2. New Jersey
With over 50,000 cases, the cities of New Jersey are among the worst places when it comes to tick and flea populations. Based on where one lives in the state, ticks may start to emerge in May, June, and July, exposing people to tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. The common cause for the infections is the state’s moist spring followed by wet winters. This results in dense vegetation in places like woods, backyards, and fields where ticks may thrive.

3. California
California spans the entire west coast, so its geography makes for various climates and temperatures depending on where one lives. Most of the state is warm and dry, but some areas are more humid and wet. The milder temperatures of California create the ideal atmosphere for fleas and ticks like the American dog tick and brown dog tick to thrive.

4. New Hampshire
The state and its cities account for over 6,000 tick-borne cases, with the most common diseases being anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Lyme disease, which are transmitted by the bite of the black-legged tick (deer tick). One may also contract other illnesses, such as the Powassan virus and Borrelia miyamotoi.

5. New York
The state is home to cities like Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens that may house a large number of ticks and fleas. New York is part of the humid continental climate zone and is surrounded by multiple large bodies of water. Therefore, it has warm summers and cold winters. The larger urban areas make it easier for pets to host fleas even when temperatures drop. The tick-borne disease cases are over 24,000 in this state.

6. Pennsylvania
Tick-borne diseases in the Keystone State are the highest, crossing about 40,000. Spotted fever rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis, and Lyme disease are the most common tick-borne diseases reported in Pennsylvania. It suffers from hot, wet summers and loads of rain, leading to mild, damp conditions suitable for fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

7. Virginia
Virginia isn’t that bad where tick and flea infections are concerned. However, it still records about 13,000 disease cases on average. One may find ticks across cities in Virginia throughout the year, but the most common time is generally spring and summer.