Lyme disease is still the most common tick-borne illness in Pennsylvania, but it is no longer the whole story. State health officials say anaplasmosis is now the second most common tick-borne disease in Pennsylvania, and blacklegged ticks in the state have also been found carrying babesiosis, Powassan virus, and Borrelia miyamotoi, which causes hard tick relapsing fever.

For homeowners throughout Dominion Pest Control’s Pennsylvania service area, that means tick awareness should go beyond Lyme alone.

If you often find ticks on yourself or your pets, or notice them in shady, overgrown parts of your yard, it may be time to take a closer look. Frequent wildlife activity, humid conditions, and pets bringing ticks indoors can also point to a larger problem. A Dominion tick pest control specialist can assess the situation and recommend the right treatment for your property, with safety and effectiveness in mind.

Why Yard Tick Control Matters More Than Ever

Pennsylvania’s recent numbers show why this matters. In 2023, the state reported 16,671 Lyme disease cases and 1,292 anaplasmosis cases. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has also said anaplasmosis cases doubled nearly every year over the past five years and that ticks carrying the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis have been found in every Pennsylvania county. That broader trend appears to have continued into 2025. Local reporting citing preliminary Allegheny County Health Department data said anaplasmosis cases there rose by more than 50% in 2025.

What Is Anaplasmosis, And Why Are More People Talking About It?

Anaplasmosis is a bacterial illness spread primarily by the same blacklegged tick, also called the deer tick, that spreads Lyme disease.

In people, symptoms often begin within 1 to 2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick and commonly include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Most cases are treatable, especially when recognized early, but severe illness can happen, particularly in older adults or people with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What catches many homeowners off guard is that anaplasmosis does not usually come with the same public familiarity as Lyme disease. People may know to watch for a bull’s-eye rash with Lyme, but anaplasmosis can look more like a flu-like illness after time outdoors.

Anaplasmosis In Dogs and Cats

Pets should be part of this conversation too. Dogs can get anaplasmosis, and while some exposed dogs never develop obvious illness, common signs can include fever, decreased appetite, lethargy, dehydration, and sometimes lameness, vomiting, or diarrhea. In other words, a dog that seems “off” after tick exposure may need veterinary attention.

Cats are affected less often. Reported signs of it in cats include lethargy, poor appetite, fever, and sometimes eye-related changes, according to MSPCA-Angell.

For homeowners, the practical takeaway is simple: Tick prevention is not just for people. Pets can be exposed in the same yard, along the same tree line, and on the same walks where people pick up ticks. Pennsylvania health guidance also reminds residents to check pets because ticks can ride indoors on animals before attaching to a person later.

Why “Beyond Lyme” Matters

Lyme disease is not always the full explanation for symptoms after a tick bite. The CDC says the most common Lyme co-infection is anaplasmosis, occurring in up to about 10% of patients with Lyme disease. Other co-infections, including babesiosis, Powassan virus disease, and hard tick relapsing fever, occur less often, but they are part of the real-world picture.

What This Means for Homeowners in Dominion Pest Control’s Service Area

For residents in Lancaster, Berks, and neighboring counties, the message is not to be fearful. It is to be realistic. Pennsylvania has established blacklegged tick activity statewide, with Lyme reported in all 67 counties and ticks infected with anaplasmosis bacteria found in every county.

Blacklegged ticks are also easy to miss. Young ticks can be as tiny as a poppy seed, which makes them very easy to miss. These immature ticks are responsible for many Lyme disease cases. Adult ticks can remain active in cooler months when temperatures are above freezing, while nymphs and larvae are commonly active in summer and often found in leaf litter. That is one reason tick prevention in Pennsylvania should be seen as a season-long yard and lifestyle issue, not just a midsummer concern. Continued yard pest control could be your best defense.

FAQs About Anaplasmosis

What is anaplasmosis?
Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne illness that can be spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. It’s one of several tick-related diseases found in Pennsylvania, which is why tick awareness is important for homeowners, pet owners, and anyone who spends time outdoors.

How is anaplasmosis connected to ticks?
Anaplasmosis is most commonly associated with blacklegged ticks, the same tick species often linked to Lyme disease. These ticks can be found in wooded areas, tall grass, brush, leaf litter, and shaded outdoor spaces where ticks have protection from heat and dryness.

Is anaplasmosis a concern in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania has long been a high-activity state for ticks, and tick-borne illnesses are a concern throughout much of the region. For homeowners, that makes tick prevention around yards, trails, and outdoor living areas an important part of reducing tick exposure.

Can pest control help reduce tick activity around my property?
Professional tick control can help reduce tick populations in areas where ticks are likely to rest, hide, and wait for hosts. Dominion Pest Control offers tick control services that target common tick habitats around the property, including lawn edges, wooded borders, shrubs, brush, and other shaded areas.

What can homeowners do to make their yard less attractive to ticks?
Homeowners can help reduce tick-friendly conditions by keeping grass trimmed, clearing leaf litter, removing brush, creating separation between wooded areas and play spaces, and discouraging wildlife from lingering near the home. These steps do not eliminate all risk, but they can make the property less hospitable to ticks.