Q: I've noticed a lot of ticks in my yard and on trails this year—how worried should I be about Lyme disease?

Written By Dr. Gary Herring, MD

Ticks are most active from May through July, right when Berks and Chester County families are back outside.

Q: I've noticed a lot of ticks in my yard and on trails this year—how worried should I be about Lyme disease?

A: Great question, and an important one for our area. Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties sit in one of the highest-risk regions in the country for Lyme disease. If you spend any time in your yard, on local trails, or near wooded and tall-grass areas, ticks are worth taking seriously.

Q: Why is Lyme disease such a concern here?

Southeastern Pennsylvania has a dense population of blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), which carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Because our region is a mix of woods, farmland, and suburban yards that border both, ticks have plenty of habitat close to home. Most bites happen without anyone noticing.

Q: How can I protect myself and my family?

A few habits go a long way:

  • Use an EPA-registered tick repellent when outdoors, especially in grass or wooded areas

  • Wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck pants into socks on trails

  • Stick to the center of mowed paths and avoid brushing against tall grass

  • Do a full tick check after being outside, paying attention to the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, and waistline

  • Treat pets with vet-approved tick prevention; they can carry ticks into the house

Q: What should I do if I find a tick attached to me?

Remove it right away with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight up and steady, not twisting. Clean the area with soap and water. You don't need to save the tick or panic if it's removed promptly, but keep an eye on the site for the next several weeks.

Q: When should I see a doctor?

Get evaluated if you notice:

  • A rash, especially one that expands or looks like a bullseye

  • Fever, chills, fatigue, or body aches within a few weeks of a bite

  • A tick that was attached for more than 24 hours, or one you can't remove completely

Lyme disease is very treatable with antibiotics, especially when caught early. Don't wait if something feels off.

Q: Final advice?

You don't have to stay indoors all summer to stay safe. A little prevention and a quick daily tick check will cover you for most of the risk. If you're ever unsure about a bite or a rash, urgent care can take a look same-day and get you started on treatment if needed.

Dr. Gary Herring, MD

Dr. Gary A. Herring, M.D. is a board-certified family medicine physician and the founder, CEO, and Medical Director of A-Z Health Services in Elverson, Pennsylvania. With more than 25 years of hands-on clinical experience spanning family practice, emergency medicine, hospitalist care, occupational health, and outpatient surgery, Dr. Herring brings a rare breadth of expertise to every patient encounter.

Dr. Herring founded A-Z Health Services in 2018 to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care to the Berks and Chester County community—all under one roof. Whether you need a same-day urgent care visit, routine primary care, a pre-employment physical, chiropractic care, weight-loss guidance and support, or outpatient surgery consultation, Dr. Herring and his team are equipped to help.

Before establishing A-Z Health Services, Dr. Herring spent over a decade practicing emergency medicine at Level I and Level II trauma centers across Pennsylvania and Arizona, including serving as ER Director and EMS Director at Fort Defiance Indian Hospital. At this Level II Trauma Center, he led a team of more than 70 nurses and EMS personnel. He also served as Medical Director for Eagle Air Medical Transport, a fixed-wing air ambulance service providing 24/7 critical care transport for patients in Arizona, the Navajo Nation, and the Four Corners region

His dual foundation in family medicine and high-acuity emergency care means Dr. Herring is equally comfortable managing chronic conditions, acute injuries, and everything in between, making A-Z Health Services one of the most clinically capable urgent care and primary care practices in southeastern Pennsylvania.

https://www.a-zurgentcare.com/dr-gary-herring-md
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