Which common outdoor activity increases the risk for tick bites?

Hiking or walking in wooded areas significantly increases the risk for tick bites because ticks typically inhabit tall grasses, shrubs, and the edges of woodlands where they can easily attach to passersby. When individuals traverse these areas, especially off marked trails or through dense brush, they are more likely to come into contact with ticks that are waiting to latch onto a host.

The dense vegetation provides both a habitat for ticks and a pathway for them to reach potential hosts. Furthermore, the warmth and moisture found in these environments can be ideal conditions for ticks to thrive.

In contrast, activities such as canoeing, biking on paved paths, and fishing by the river typically occur in more open and less brush-covered areas, which reduces exposure to ticks. Therefore, while all outdoor activities carry some risk of encountering ticks, those associated with hiking or walking in wooded areas significantly elevate that risk due to the nature of the environment.