BeBop Labs

04/04/2026

As temperatures start to warm, blacklegged ticks (aka deer ticks) are already active in New England. Adult deer ticks are small, about the size of a sesame seed. Females have a slightly lighter, reddish area behind the head, while males are darker overall. Unlike larger dog ticks, deer ticks are more delicate-looking and much smaller, which can make them easy to miss. Because they can carry diseases like Lyme, it’s important to start doing regular tick checks now.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization.Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

04/03/2026

Ticks that cause a rare, dangerous red meat allergy are spreading. What precautions can you take?

Alpha-gal syndrome used to be most prevalent in Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia, but is now being seen in many regions, with some hotspots in the Northeast.

03/28/2026

Facts about tick research in New England:
· Tick-borne disease numbers and pathogen prevalence are rising in parts of New England.
· Surveillance now tracks multiple diseases beyond Lyme, including babesiosis and anaplasmosis.
· Climate trends may be extending the tick activity season.
· Ongoing research and expanded monitoring are helping fill gaps in knowledge.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications
💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization. Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

03/24/2026

Pfizer and Valneva Announce Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate Demonstrates Strong Efficacy in Phase 3 VALOR Trial

News article source:

Vaccine candidate PF-07307405 (LB6V) demonstrated more than 70% efficacy in preventing Lyme disease in individuals aged five years and above The investigational vaccine candidate was well tolerated with no safety concerns identified at time of analysis Overall, results strengthen confidence in the v...

03/21/2026

In New England, tick season doesn’t start in summer. It quietly begins in early spring. March is often the first month ticks become active again, especially after snowmelt and mild temperatures.

🥾 Early Hikes & Dog Walks = Common Exposure
- March is when people start spending more time outside again — hiking, yard work, and walking pets — which increases tick encounters before people remember to take precautions.

🐕 Pets Are Often the First Indicator
- Dogs frequently pick up ticks in March and bring them indoors, even when humans haven’t noticed any yet.

🛡️ Prevention Should Start Now (Not Summer)
- Do tick checks after hikes and yard work
- Wear boots and long pants in wooded areas
- Use repellent on warm March days
- Keep up with pet tick prevention

Ticks are something we know how to manage! Learn more on BebopLabs.org

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization.
Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

03/14/2026

Things to Know About Ticks in New England in March

🕷️ Adult Ticks Wake Up Early
- As soon as temperatures rise above freezing, adult blacklegged (deer) ticks become active again after winter. A few warm days in March can bring them out quickly.

❄️ Snow Doesn’t Kill Ticks
- Ticks survive winter by hiding under leaf litter, soil, and snow cover, which actually insulates them from extreme cold. When the snow melts, they’re ready to quest.

🌡️ Temperature Matters More Than the Calendar
- Ticks don’t follow seasons — they follow weather.
- If it’s above ~40°F, ticks can be active even in late winter or early spring.

🍂 Leaf Litter = Peak Early Spring Habitat
March yard cleanup, gardening, and trail walking can increase exposure because ticks are hiding in:
- Wet leaves
- Brush piles
- Woodpiles
- Edges of trails and stone walls

Ticks are something we know how to manage! Learn more on BebopLabs.org

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization.
Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

03/07/2026

🌿 Why We Don’t Need to Be Scared of Ticks

🧠 Knowledge = Control
Ticks aren’t mysterious or random. We know:
- where they live
- when they’re active
- how they attach
- how to remove them safely
When you understand their behavior, you can prevent most bites.

🕷️ Most Tick Encounters Don’t Lead to Illness
- Many ticks don’t carry disease.
- Even when a tick does carry bacteria, it often must be attached for many hours before transmission occurs (Lyme disease typically takes 24–36 hours).
- Regular tick checks dramatically reduce risk.

🧷 Tick Bites Are Manageable
- Ticks don’t burrow or stay forever.
- They can be removed easily with tweezers.
- Early removal lowers disease risk and gives you time to monitor symptoms.

🌎 Ticks Are Part of Healthy Ecosystems
- Ticks have existed for millions of years.
- Their presence often reflects healthy wildlife populations and reforested landscapes, which are also good for biodiversity and outdoor recreation.

🛡️ Prevention Works
- Simple steps — like wearing repellent, doing tick checks, and managing yards — are highly effective. You’re not helpless.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization.
Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

02/28/2026

What New Englanders Should Know About Lone Star Ticks

🕷️ They’re Expanding Here
- Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) were once mostly found in the Southeast, but warmer winters, growing deer populations, and changing habitats have helped them move north. They are now established in parts of southern New England, especially coastal and wooded areas.

👀 They’re Easy to Recognize
- Adult females have a distinctive white dot (“lone star”) on their back.
- They’re generally larger and more aggressive than blacklegged (deer) ticks.

🚶 They Act Differently Than Deer Ticks
- Lone star ticks actively chase hosts instead of passively waiting.
- People often report many ticks at once, especially from brushy or grassy areas.

🦠 They Carry Different Health Risks
- Lone star ticks are not known to spread Lyme disease, but they can transmit:
—Ehrlichiosis
—Tularemia
—Southern tick–associated rash illness (STARI)
—They’re also linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that can cause a delayed allergy to red meat after a bite.

⚠️ Bites Can Be Itchy and Irritating
- Lone star tick bites often cause intense itching, redness, and swelling, sometimes lasting weeks.
- Because they bite quickly, people may not notice them right away.

📅 They’re Active for Much of the Year
- Most active spring through fall, but like other ticks, they can be active anytime temperatures are above freezing.
- Late spring and summer are peak times.

🛡️ Prevention Is Especially Important
- Because they’re fast and aggressive:
- Permethrin-treated clothing is highly effective.
- Frequent tick checks are critical.
- Yard management and deer awareness matter more than ever.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization.
Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

02/21/2026

In recent years, Lone Star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), once mostly found in the southeastern U.S., have been expanding into New England, with established populations now documented in parts of Massachusetts and neighboring states, likely due to warmer winters, expanding deer populations, and changes in habitat.

Unlike blacklegged (deer) ticks, Lone Star ticks are very aggressive human biters and can carry different pathogens, including the bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and other illnesses, plus they’re associated with alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat that can develop after a bite and persist long-term. Their broader range of habitats and expanding populations mean more people in New England may encounter them, so awareness and bite-prevention measures are increasingly important.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization.
Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

02/14/2026

Ticks live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas. They preferring moist, shady spots with tall grass, leaf litter, and shrubs where they wait on vegetation to attach to passing hosts like deer, rodents, birds, or people. They can also be found in backyards, parks, and even indoors, especially certain species like dog ticks.

It's best to walk in the middle of hiking trails. You can also tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks. And remember to do a tick check each evening after coming in from outside.

Ticks can be active in winter, when the temperature is above freezing.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization. Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

02/07/2026

American Dog tick is the most common tick found in New England. It is the size of a watermelon seed when unfed. Their peak season when they are most active is summer (May-July). They don't carry too much disease in New England, so they are much less of a concern than blacklegged (deer) ticks that can carry lyme disease.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization. Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.

01/31/2026

Blackedlegged ticks, aka deer ticks, can carry Lyme disease in New England. They are active year round when the temps are above freezing. Pictured is an adult female Blacklegged tick.

📝 Tick questionnaires ➡️ BebopLabs.org/send-ticks

🔬 Our research publication ➡️ BebopLabs.org/our-publications

💌 Donations ➡️ BebopLabs.org/donations/bebop-labs-donation
Bebop Labs is a volunteer-run organization.
Throughout the year we apply for grants and ask for donations to make tick testing free.