{"id":30698,"date":"2026-10-14T09:48:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/non-classifiee\/tiques-en-automne-pourquoi-faut-il-rester-vigilant\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T09:58:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:58:36","slug":"ticks-in-autumn-why-we-need-to-remain-vigilant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/en\/news\/ticks-in-autumn-why-we-need-to-remain-vigilant\/","title":{"rendered":"Ticks in autumn: why do we need to remain vigilant?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ticks are very common in summer, but they also thrive in autumn, especially when the weather remains mild and damp. For both you and your pets, the risk of being bitten is always present<\/strong> during outdoor activities. Whether you\u2019re hiking, jogging, cycling, gardening or doing other outdoor activities, these tiny blood-sucking mites can easily attach themselves to your body. Although mostly harmless, a tick bite can, however, transmit certain serious diseases. In Haute-Savoie, 13 cases of tick-borne encephalitis have already been reported since the start of 2026 [1] .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how to protect yourself from ticks during this autumnal period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Key points to remember<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u27a1\ufe0f Ticks remain active in autumn, especially when the weather is mild and damp.
\u27a1\ufe0f They can transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease and, more rarely, tick-borne encephalitis.
\u27a1\ufe0f After a walk, check your skin and that of your children carefully, paying particular attention to skin folds and the scalp.
\u27a1\ufe0f If you find a tick attached, remove it quickly using a tick remover, then disinfect the area.
\u27a1\ufe0f Dogs and cats are also at risk: check their coats and ensure they are protected with a suitable anti-parasite treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why are ticks still active in autumn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In France, Ixodes ricinus<\/em><\/a>, the species of tick primarily associated with Lyme disease, remains active from April to November<\/strong>. In regions with a milder climate, it may even seek out a host all year round [2].<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ticks love the autumn damp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ticks do not cope well with dry conditions. They therefore seek out damp, sheltered spots, such as the undergrowth, tall grass or layers of dead leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn\u2019s rain, dew and damp vegetation<\/strong> create precisely the conditions they need to survive. Conversely, very hot and dry spells in summer can make them less active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key point:<\/strong> Ticks require a minimum level of humidity to survive (80 per cent) [2]. After feeding on blood, larvae and nymphs can remain in the environment for several months before progressing to the next stage of their life cycle. Adult females, on the other hand, lay their eggs after their final meal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Temperatures are still mild<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need it to be as hot as in summer to come across a tick. The mild days of September, October and sometimes November suit them very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, autumn began with very high temperatures. September 2026 was the second-warmest September on record in France since 1900<\/strong>, with an average temperature 3.1 \u00b0C above normal [3]. The start of October has also remained very mild and has been accompanied by heavy rainfall in several regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regions with an oceanic climate, such as Brittany, Normandy and part of the Atlantic coast down to the south-west<\/strong>, winters are historically milder and wetter. These conditions can allow ticks to remain active for longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key point:<\/strong> as long as the weather hasn\u2019t turned consistently cold and dry, tick season isn\u2019t over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

See also:<\/strong> The tiger mosquito is still active this autumn<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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In Switzerland, ticks are also becoming more widespread<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Caution is also advised in Switzerland. Ticks are no longer found solely in forests and low-altitude areas.<\/strong> The Swiss Snow and Avalanche Research Institute (SLF) has received more than 900 reports, with ticks observed at altitudes of up to 2,300 metres in some cases [4].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global warming is likely contributing to this spread to higher altitudes. Milder temperatures allow ticks to remain active for longer and to colonise areas where the cold previously limited their presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key point:<\/strong> The Federal Office of Public Health has designated the whole of Switzerland as a tick-risk area, with the exception of the cantons of Geneva and Ticino<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The risk is not limited to a simple bite. According to the Federal Office of Public Health, the three main tick-borne diseases in Switzerland are Lyme borreliosis, spring-summer meningoencephalitis (SSME) and tularemia<\/strong> [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Particular attention is being paid to TBE: 435 cases were reported in 2020. Vaccination is recommended for all adults and children aged 3 and over who live in a risk area<\/strong> [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you live in Switzerland or are you planning a hike? Don\u2019t let your guard down just because summer is over. Undergrowth, tall grass, fallen leaves and hiking trails remain high-risk areas in autumn<\/strong>, including in the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13 cases of tick-borne encephalitis in Haute-Savoie: why are the authorities urging caution?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since January 2026, 13 cases of tick-borne encephalitis have been reported in Haute-Savoie<\/strong>. The department was already the worst-affected in France in 2025, with 19 cases recorded [6].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of an infected tick<\/strong>. It remains rare in France, with an average of around 35 cases diagnosed each year, but it can lead to serious complications [7].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After an incubation period of one to two weeks, the initial symptoms resemble those of flu: fever, headaches and muscle or joint pain<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 20 to 30 per cent of patients, the virus can then reach the nervous system<\/strong> and cause, in particular, encephalitis, impaired consciousness, convulsions or paralysis [5]. Neurological sequelae may persist for several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment<\/strong> for tick-borne encephalitis<\/strong>. Management therefore consists mainly of treating the symptoms [7].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there a vaccine?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, in France, vaccination is currently recommended mainly for adults and children travelling to areas where the disease is common<\/strong> and who are at risk of exposure to ticks [7]. However, it is not recommended for the general population living in France [8].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key point:<\/strong> This vaccine protects against tick-borne encephalitis, but not against Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lyme disease remains the main tick-borne risk in France<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sant\u00e9 publique France estimates that around 40,000 cases are diagnosed each year<\/strong> in general practice [9].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi<\/em> complex, transmitted by certain infected ticks of the genus Ixodes<\/em>. Not all ticks carry the bacteria<\/strong>: in France, the proportion of infected ticks varies significantly depending on the region and the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main symptom to watch out for is erythema migrans<\/strong>: a red patch that appears around the bite site and gradually spreads [9]. See a doctor promptly<\/strong> so that they can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How can you avoid tick bites this autumn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may come across ticks in the woods, but also in meadows, parks, gardens or areas with tall grass [10].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before and during a walk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A few simple steps can help reduce the risk of being bitten:<\/p>\n\n\n\n