JACKSON, Wyo. — With spring approaching, Teton County Weed and Pest District (TCWP) is urging residents and visitors to take steps to avoid tick bites and tick-borne diseases in recognition of Tick Bite Prevention Week, March 24 to 30.
According to a TCWP press release, mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal worldwide through vector-borne diseases, but, in the U.S., 77% of vector-borne diseases are transmitted by ticks. TCWP confirms more than 40,000 individuals are diagnosed with a tick-borne disease each year in the U.S.
Pathogens that cause diseases such as Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tick paralysis can be spread when an infected tick bites a host. Hosts can include humans, pets and other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, per TCWP.
Mikenna Smith, TCWP entomologist, confirms in the release that Wyoming, and Sublette County in particular, has historically had the highest incidence rate of Colorado Tick Fever in the U.S.
Simple steps that TCWP recommends to prevent tick bites include:
- Applying EPA-registered insect repellent and reapply as directed. Look for products containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone.
- Wearing loose-fitting long clothing including long sleeves and long pants. Tuck pants into socks for extra protection.
- Knowing where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. Walk in the center of trails to prevent contact with ticks.
- Checking for ticks. Conduct a full body tick check after being outdoors.
- Taking a shower. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases by washing off unattached ticks, and it is a good time to conduct a tick check.
- Tumbling dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing.
- Preventing ticks on dogs. Talk to vets about tick prevention products for dogs. Check pets for ticks daily. Do not apply tick prevention products to cats without first asking a vet.
Remove an attached tick as soon as possible to prevent or reduce pathogen transmission; TCWP recommends using fine-point tweezers to remove the tick in a steady motion, then clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Stop by the Teton County Weed & Pest District office for a free Tick Check Kit (office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday). For additional information about ticks and tick-borne diseases in Teton County visit tcweed.org/vectorborne.
