Red Cross advises how to prevent tick bites after warm winter

JACKSON, Wyo. — April showers bring May flowers, but mild winters bring more ticks.

Warm winters allow ticks to survive, which means the risk of getting a tick bite in the summer rises, along with related illnesses like Colorado tick fever. American Red Cross of Wyoming is reminding Wyomingites to be alert and take proper precautions to prevent tick bites when recreating outdoors. In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that weekly rates of emergency room visits for tick bites were at their highest for that time of year since 2017.

“While ticks in Wyoming do not carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, a tick bite can still make you sick,” Red Cross of Wyoming Executive Director Janet Lewis said in a statement. “Bites can cause Colorado tick fever, which causes flu-like symptoms, or other illnesses. A few simple steps, like avoiding tall grass and wearing long-sleeved shirt and pants when going into wildland areas, can help greatly reduce the risk of a tick bite.”

Follow these tips from the Red Cross to prevent against tick bites:

Use bug spray that contains DEET, making sure to follow the package directions.
Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Tuck shirt into pants.
- Tuck pant legs into socks or boots, or use a rubber band or tape to hold pants against socks so nothing can get underneath.
- Wear light-colored clothing to make it easy to see small insects and ticks.
When hiking in woods and fields, stay in the middle of trails.
- Avoid underbrush and tall grass.
Inspect for ticks after being outdoors, or have someone else check. Areas of the body with hair, such as the back of the neck and the scalp line, should be double checked.
- Check for ticks several times throughout the day, if outside for a long time.
Apply the appropriate type of tick repellent to any pets that go outdoors. Use according to the label, and check pets for ticks often.