Tick Activity and Risk in Russia: Species, Seasons, and Protection
Russians began reporting tick encounters as spring warmed in late March. Residents of Smolensk noticed ticks on pets after walks, and reports of bites came from various regions including Altai. Public health monitoring tracks these bite cases and the spread of tick-borne illnesses across the country.
Among the thousands of tick species that can affect humans and animals, certain Ixodes ticks stand out as the most dangerous carriers of serious diseases such as tick-borne viral encephalitis and tick-borne borreliosis, according to Natalya Shashina, Doctor of Biological Sciences at the FBUN Disinfection Research Institute. She notes that an individual can harbor up to five pathogens at once, underscoring the complexity of tick-borne disease risk.
In addition to Ixodes, other genera like Dermacentor are common, especially where large mammals roam. These ticks are frequently found in areas with deer and dogs that interact with wildlife, including urban centers like Moscow. Dermacentor ticks can cause canine babesiosis, which damages red blood cells and, without prompt treatment, can be fatal in young dogs. Symptoms include fever, pale mucous membranes, dark urine, bright stools, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea; treatment delays dramatically worsen outcomes.
Humans can also be affected by Dermacentor ticks, though this is less common. They can transmit rickettsial diseases, which present as fever and rash. From an animal health perspective, Hyalomma ticks are especially dangerous. In Russia, Hyalomma marginatum has been linked to the epizootic spread of Crimean hemorrhagic fever among livestock, highlighting the broader risk to agricultural communities (as reported by Shashina).
In Moscow, two main genera—Dermacentor and Ixodes—are typically used to distinguish tick risks. Dermacentor tends to be larger, brown, and more often found on larger hosts, while Ixodes ticks are slender, teardrop-shaped, and feature an orange back with a dark front. These visual cues help people assess danger quickly when ticks are found on clothing or skin.
Tick activity is closely tied to temperature. Ticks do not maintain a constant body temperature; they respond to environmental warmth. In laboratory settings, ticks kept in refrigeration remain still, but when warmed, they become active. In nature, activity begins when daytime temperatures climb to roughly 9–10 degrees Celsius, especially on thawed patches or sunlit slopes where they emerge. The timing of spring warmth thus governs the onset of tick activity.
Southern regions see ticks becoming active in March, while in most of Russia they become active by April or May. If warm conditions persist, even snow cover may be insufficient to prevent ticks from appearing. The Ixodes species typically reach a peak in late May to early June, then gradually decline. Regional differences exist: in Siberia, taiga ticks can be found on vegetation from August onward, but infections are less common there, despite frequent forest visits for berries and mushrooms. In the European part of Russia, forest-tick activity often flares again in late summer, August to September, though not as intensely as in spring.
Tick populations hinge on host availability. If seasonal mammal hosts are scarce, many female ticks may fail to lay eggs. Still, long-term population stability is possible due to complex developmental cycles and diapause, a temporary pause in development that can buffer year-to-year fluctuations (as explained by Shashina).
In central Russia, tick activity is expected to rise in April. Caution is advised in the mid-lane terrain as tick numbers grow through May, reaching a peak from late May to early June for Ixodes, the genus most dangerous to humans. The Dermacentor group, more problematic for dogs, typically declines by late May or early June.
Among tick-borne diseases, vaccination exists primarily for tick-borne encephalitis. Tularemia has vaccines, but transmission routes vary widely, including water, insect bites, and tick-to-rodent pathways. Individuals living in areas identified as high risk for tick-borne encephalitis are advised to consider vaccination before forest exposure (Shashina).
Preventive measures are essential. People should remain vigilant while outdoors, remove attached ticks promptly, and wear clothing that prevents tick entry. Ticks do not fly or jump; they latch onto hosts from below, making tucked pants and tightly fastened socks important. When a tick is found attached, it should be removed carefully, as the feeding process can take several days. Early detection helps minimize transmission risk. In addition, repellents and acaricides provide protection. Authorities from health and disinfectant agencies publish guidelines annually on effective products and best practices for tick prevention in official journals and on their websites (as cited by health officials).
Recent data indicate ongoing vaccination efforts against tick-borne encephalitis, with tens of thousands of individuals vaccinated and large-scale vaccination plans in place to reduce disease risk. Protective livestock treatments with acaricides are also implemented in many regions to curb tick populations and associated diseases (as reported by public health authorities).