Christmas Trees Unlikely to Contain Lyme-Infected Ticks

Misbar’s investigation found that while it is possible that real Christmas trees contain Lyme-bearing ticks, it is highly unlikely. Lyme disease is rarely spread in winter, as most ticks become dormant. Further, only nymph and adult female ticks can spread Lyme disease to humans. Nymphs feed in summer months, which is when Lyme disease case rates are at their highest. By fall nymphs become adults, and most females mate and die by winter.

While some have reported finding a nest of tick eggs on their Christmas trees, ticks are not born with Lyme disease. They become infected by feeding on an animal that has Lyme disease; so tick larvae cannot be infected with the disease, as they have not yet fed on animals.

However, some scientists believe that climate change has led ticks to alter their hibernation and life cycles, so it is within the realm of possibility that an adult female tick might be on your Christmas tree. Experts recommend shaking out a live tree before bringing it into your home just in case.

While many symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to that of COVID-19 –  fatigue, fever, and swollen lymph nodes – it is recognizable by its rash, which usually appears between 3 and 30 days after being infected.