Don’t Let Ticks Tag Along: Staying Safe from Tick Bites in Wisconsin
Ticks are a fact of life in Wisconsin’s warm-weather months, especially from spring through early fall. Whether you’re hiking, gardening, working outdoors, or simply enjoying time in your backyard, ticks can be lurking in tall grass, wooded areas, and even leaf piles.
Several types of ticks are found in Wisconsin, but the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is of most concern because it can carry Lyme disease and other serious illnesses. Cases of tick-borne disease have been rising across the state in recent years, making prevention more important than ever.
The best way to avoid tick-borne illness is to prevent tick bites in the first place. That starts with being aware of your surroundings. Ticks thrive in shady, moist areas near the ground, especially in or near woods, brush, and tall grass. If you’re spending time outside in these environments, take a few simple precautions.
Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks. Long sleeves and pants help protect your skin and tucking your pants into your socks creates a barrier that makes it harder for ticks to reach your skin. Using an EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, or permethrin on clothing and exposed skin can also provide an added layer of protection.
When you come indoors, it’s important to check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks right away. Pay special attention to warm, hidden places like behind the knees, under the arms, around the waist, in the hairline, and behind the ears. Showering within two hours of coming inside can also help wash off any unattached ticks and reduce the risk of infection.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible with a fine-tipped tweezer. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this can cause parts to break off and remain in the skin. Once the tick is removed, clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. It can be helpful to save the tick in a sealed bag or container in case you develop symptoms later and need to identify it.
Early signs of Lyme disease often appear within three to thirty days after a bite and may include fever, fatigue, headache, joint pain, and a circular rash that looks like a bullseye. If you experience any of these symptoms, especially after being outdoors, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider right away. When caught early, Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics.
To make your yard less inviting to ticks, keep grass mowed, remove brush and leaf litter, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas. Keeping play areas and patios away from shrubs and trees can also reduce the chance of tick exposure at home.
With a few simple steps, it’s possible to enjoy all that Wisconsin summers have to offer without bringing home unwanted hitchhikers. Staying tick-aware and acting quickly after outdoor activity can protect you and your family from long-term health issues.
Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community.