Timely Tips for Tackling Ticks

If you're like me, you've been looking forward to the end of a cold and dreary winter and the beginning of a warmer, sunnier spring. The nicer weather brings activities like hiking, trips to the playground, and gardening. Another part of spring is everyone's favorite insect - TICKS! Because we've had a mild winter, ticks are more active this spring. Ticks tend to be dormant in below-freezing temperatures, but once the temperatures are consistently above 45, they are back in action. While you're getting outside with your families for some much needed fresh air, keep these tips in mind to help you stay safe. 

Before you head outside, there are some things you can do to prevent ticks from making you their next meal. Ticks usually live on tall grass, bushes, and in wooded areas. You can avoid those areas by staying in the middle of the trail, and keeping your yard well-maintained. If you are unable to avoid the areas that ticks enjoy, you can treat your clothing with permethrin, including boots, pants, and camping gear. Be sure to read the label to do this safely. Some stores also sell pre-treated clothing that will last through several washes. There are many EPA-approved insect repellants that work quite well, including DEET and picardin. This website has a great tool to help you go through your options and make sure what you're using is age-appropriate: www.epa.gov/insect-repellants/find-repellant-right-you. Even though it may be warmer, wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants tucked into shoes or boots can help keep ticks off your skin. 

After returning from your outdoor activities, you should check your clothing, equipment, and pets for ticks. Running your clothes through the dryer for 10 to 30 minutes should kill ticks. Also, jumping into the shower will rinse off any that aren't yet attached (and get rid of all that insect repellant). Be sure to check under your arms, around your ears and scalp, and even in your belly button for any tick that may be hiding!

If you find that a tick is attached to yourself or your child, your goal is to remove it as soon as possible. Use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as you can, then firmly pull straight up. The goal is to remove the entire tick, including the mouthparts. Clean the area afterward with soap and water, and be sure to wash your hands.  You can flush the live tick down the toilet or seal it in a plastic bag and throw it away. 

When should you call your doctor? Most ticks, if removed within 24 hours, have a low likelihood of causing illness. If you aren't sure how long a tick has been attached, it's best to get some professional advice. Unfortunately, we live in a region where Lyme disease is very common, and the longer a tick is attached the higher the likelihood it could cause illness. Other regions have numerous diseases caused by different species of ticks. So, if you traveled outside of Wisconsin be sure to let your doctor know that as well. If you can take a photo of the tick, or bring the tick in, it helps us better identify the disease to which you may have been exposed. Even if you remove a tick in a timely manner if you develop a rash (especially a "bullseye" rash), fever, or flu-like symptoms within a few weeks of a tick bite, be sure to contact your doctor for guidance.

One last tip for those of you with pets. Dogs are particularly susceptible to ticks, and can also bring them into your home, potentially affecting your family. Be sure to check your pets when they've been in any high-risk areas mentioned above (tall grass, wooded areas, leaf piles, etc). Just like for humans, it's important to remove ticks from pets right away. If your dog spends a lot of time outside, or if you have a yard ticks would find appealing, talk to a veterinarian about prevention medications. 

It's so important to get outside and enjoy spring while we have the chance - be safe, and have a great time out there!