5 min readYou may hope the long, cold winter killed off some bugs so that this season won’t be a bad year for ticks and other pests. But don’t put your bug spray away just yet!
“A cold or snowy winter doesn’t kill ticks,” says Eric Benson, Ph.D., professor emeritus and extension entomologist with Clemson University. “They’re experts at surviving. The main species of ticks we deal with in the U.S. overwinter quite well and are a year-round threat.”
Because several different types of these tiny bloodsuckers can transmit serious diseases to you and your pet, you must be vigilant about protection, says Benson. In fact, it’s already a bad year for ticks, according to the CDC. The number of emergency room visits for tick bites is the highest for this time of year since 2017.
While most people have heard about Lyme disease, there are other serious illnesses transmitted by ticks, too.
“One of the more deadly if untreated is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a severe, potentially fatal tick-borne bacterial disease,” says Alfred F. Tallia, M.D., MPH, professor and chair, family medicine and community health at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “Despite its name, it can occur from tick bites throughout the United States. Babesiosis is another tickborne illness caused by Babesia microti and related parasites, which infect red blood cells.” Other diseases transmitted by ticks to people include ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis.
Of course, pets are also at risk. “The tick nationwide most concerning for transmitting diseases is the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis,” says Sonja L. Swiger, Ph.D., professor and veterinary/medical entomologist at Texas A&M University. “It is the carrier, or vector, of Lyme disease, but they also vector ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and hepatozoonosis in dogs.”
Ahead, here’s what you need to know about where ticks live and what to do to protect your family and pets.
Where Do Ticks Live?
Ticks typically are found in brushy areas, tall grasses, or beneath shrubs, which provide shade to keep them protected from the hot sun. They’re often concentrated in specific parts of the landscape where wildlife such as deer, raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks are passing through—and you probably have more wildlife than you realize in your backyard.
“Generally, ticks are not uniformly distributed throughout your yard. You find them more frequently in areas where wildlife travel or rest,” says Benson.
Many people mistakenly believe they don't have ticks where they live. “Just because you do not see them does not mean they do not exist,” says Swiger. “Wildlife is the main bloodmeal source for ticks. That includes urban wildlife, too, such as rodents.”
But depending on the region where you live, you may encounter ticks almost anywhere. “In areas of the U.S. where tick populations are really high, you can encounter them right next to sidewalks in trimmed grass,” says Swiger. In fact, just living in a city does not mean you or your pet will never encounter a tick.
How Do Ticks Find You?
Ticks, which actually are arachnids like spiders, can’t fly or jump, and they don’t drop out of trees. Instead, they find a host by “questing” on the tips of grasses with their front legs extended—waiting for a person or animal to brush by them.
These parasites find a host by sensing odors, heat, vibrations, and shadows, and then they scramble onto their victims. Once onboard, they wander around to find a place to embed into your or your pet’s skin, says Benson.
How to Protect Yourself from Ticks
While you may not be able to completely eliminate your exposure to ticks, you can follow these expert tips to lessen your family’s risk.
Wear Long Pants and Sleeves When Working Outdoors
Tuck pants into socks or boots. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to see ticks, too, says Benson.
Apply Tick Repellent
Make sure you have an EPA-approved tick repellent on hand for all your outdoor activities. Read the label and use as directed so you will know how often to reapply, says Benson. Keep a can by the door you go in and out of to remind yourself to use it.
Stick With What’s Proven to Work
Don’t rely on DIY remedies that contain essential oils or other homemade concoctions; they are not proven effective for repelling these bloodsuckers. Plus, “all natural” doesn’t mean it won’t irritate your skin, says Benson.
Treat Clothing With Permethrin
Permethrin repels ticks and can be used on clothing, boots, and camping gear, and it will last through several washings. Make sure you only use this product on clothing because it’s not meant for skin, says Benson.
Cut Back the Brush in High-Traffic Areas
Removing places for ticks to hide is helpful. But “blanket spraying” your entire backyard with pesticide is not recommended because this also kills beneficial insects, such as pollinators. If you do choose to treat your yard, make sure you hire a knowledgeable professional who knows that the whole yard shouldn’t be sprayed—only hot spots, such as areas where wildlife travel through or rest, says Benson.
Keep Your Pets on Tick-Preventive Medications
Ticks can be active year-round, even in cold climates, says Swiger. Talk to your vet about the best medication for your pet’s needs.
When Your Pet Comes Indoors, Do a Tick Check
Even if you’re already using tick control products, be sure to inspect your pet’s entire body to be safe—especially around the collar, ears, tail, rear, and on the belly. It can be tough to see newly attached ticks, says Swiger, so do a scratch test: Run your fingers all over the animal and feel for bumps or "skin-tags," which actually may be ticks.
Do a Tick Check on Yourself and Kids, Too.
Make sure you and your household know how to do a tick check on yourselves. After coming indoors, take a shower ASAP because ticks tend to crawl around before attaching. Also, you should wash and dry clothes you’ve worn outdoors on high heat, which will kill ticks, says Benson.
What to Do If You Get a Tick Bite
If you find a tick on yourself or your pet, don’t panic—but do remove it immediately. In general, it usually takes more than 24 hours after attachment for the bacterium to infect you. Avoid using folklore methods that do not work, such as nail polish remover, matches, or petroleum jelly. Instead, remove the tick with a pair of clean tweezers by grasping near its head as close as possible to the skin and pulling it off, says Tallia.
You’ll need to pull upward with steady, even pressure—and it may take more force than you expect. Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or wrapping it tightly in tape; don’t crush it with your fingers. Clean the area with soap and water after removal, says Tallia.
If you have any questions, call your doctor. You should seek medical help right away if you develop symptoms such as a rash or swelling, fever, chills, or headache within a few weeks of removing a tick, says Tallia.
