Tick Season in Wisconsin

As we transition into the summer outdoor activities, we need to be on the lookout for the ever present tick in Wisconsin. Here we have gathered some information to keep you informed on ticks, what to look for and what to do.

  

 

It's all about the tick

Ticks are tiny and flat and they are not insects. They are the largest of all mites and have eight legs compared to the six legs of an insect.

Knowing something about the disease and how it spreads can help you take steps to prevent it. The disease is caused by a spiral bacterium and is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected deer tick, Deer ticks, also called black-legged ticks, are about half the size of dog ticks. In the four stages of the tick's life cycle, they feed on various blood sources, including mice, birds, deer and humans. Humans are the only ones to contract the disease; wildlife hosts simply provide the blood source and suffer no harm.

Dog Ticks Female / Male      
Brown dog ticks seldom attach to humans  

Deer Tick

Clockwise from top: female, male, larval, nymph

American Dog Tick (aka: wood tick)    
Left to Right: female, male

By region United States Tick Identifier charts:

http://www.tickencounter.org/tick_identification

How do they find me???

In order for the immature nymphs and adults to get the blood they need, they climb blades of grass or other vegetation and wait for a host to walk by. When one comes near, the ticks can detect odors from the host – like carbon dioxide, ammonia and lactic acid – and assume a "questing position," clinging to the grass with two pairs of legs while holding their front pair outstretched. When the host brushes against the grass, the tick grabs hold and either attaches to the skin or wanders the body in search of a thin-skinned area to attach and feed. That's when the bacteria in their stomachs can be transmitted to a human host.

I found a tick on me!

What to do if bitten by a tick:

• If you removed the tick soon after it is attached, chances are very small of getting Lyme disease. Also, not every tick is infected with Lyme disease bacteria.
• At the tick bite site, watch for an expanding rash that occurs frequently in Lyme disease for up to 30 days. Call your doctor if this occurs.
• However, it is common to develop an area of inflammation and itching up to the size of a quarter immediately after the tick bite due to the irritation from tick saliva and is not a symptom of Lyme disease. If the tick is infected, the expanding rash will appear later. Not everyone develops a rash, or it may go unnoticed. It is important to be aware of other possible symptoms of Lyme disease if you spent time in tick habitat. 
  
  

Lyme Disease?

The disease is highly seasonal, with over 80 percent of Wisconsin cases reported from May through August. That's when most nymphs (which are about the size of a pinhead) are feeding and when most people are enjoying the outdoors.

signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease can vary among individuals and not everyone experiences all of the symptoms listed. It is important to remember that not all ticks are infected with Lyme disease and transmit disease. The tick usually needs to be attached for at least 24 to 48 hours and likely be engorged. 

Common symptoms of Lyme disease to watch for after the bite of a blacklegged tick are: 

Early Stage or approximately three to thirty days after exposure:

• A distinctive expanding rash occurs in 80% to 90% of cases, usually solid red or bull's-eye appearance at the site of the bite and persists for many weeks. Usually the rash is not painful or itchy
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Fatigue 
  
  

Early Disseminated Stage or approximately days to weeks after exposure:

• Multiple rashes, not just at the bite site
• Facial paralysis on one side of the face
• Fever
• Stiff aching neck
• Headache
• Weakness and numbness or pain in arms or legs
• Irregular heart beat
• Dizziness, light headed or heart palpitations
• Persistent weakness and fatigue
• Abnormal pulse 
  
  

Late Stage or weeks to months after exposure:

• Swelling and pain in one or more joints, usually the knee
• Problems with neurological or nervous system
• Persistent weakness or fatigue

Control steps

Here are some options to make your property less attractive to ticks and their hosts:

• Keep grass mowed.
• Remove leaf litter, brush and weeds at the edge of the lawn.
• Discourage rodent activity.
• Move firewood piles and bird feeders away from the house.
• Keep pets out of the woods to reduce ticks brought back home.
• Use plantings that don't attract deer or exclude deer through various types of fencing.
• Move children's swing sets and sand boxes away from the woodland edge and place them on a wood chip or mulch foundation.
• Trim tree branches and shrubs around the lawn edge to let in more sunlight.

From "Tick Management Handbook," Bulletin No. 1010, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

State officials passed along a few steps that can help prevent tick bites and reduce the chance of getting tickborne diseases:

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter because ticks prefer these areas. Stay to the center of a trail to avoid contact with grass and brush.
   
• Use effective tick repellents and apply according to the label instructions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using repellents with 20% DEET on exposed skin and clothing to prevent tick bites. Adults should apply repellents to children, taking special care to avoid spraying in the hands, eyes, and mouth. Repellents that contain permethrin can also be applied to clothing.
   
• Wear clothes that will help shield you from ticks. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are best. Tuck pants into the top of socks or boots, to create a "tick barrier." Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.
   
• Check your body frequently for ticks, and remove them promptly. Blacklegged ticks are small and may be difficult to find, so careful and thorough tick checks must be done on all parts of the body. It is important to pay special attention to areas where ticks tend to hide, such as the head, scalp, and body folds (armpit, behind the knee, groin). Take a shower or a bath as soon as possible to remove any ticks that may still be crawling on you.
   
• Remove attached ticks slowly and gently, using a pair of thin-bladed tweezers applied as close to the skin as possible. Folk remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish remover, or burning matches are not safe or effective ways to remove ticks.
   
• Protect your pets from tick bites by checking your dog or cat for ticks before allowing them inside. While a vaccine may prevent Lyme disease in pets, it will not stop the animal from carrying infected ticks into the home. Speak to your veterinarian about topical tick repellants available for pets.
   
• Landscape homes and recreational areas to reduce the number of ticks and create tick-safe zones by using woodchips or gravel along the border between lawn and wooded area. Continue to remove leaf litter and clear tall grass and brush around houses throughout the summer.

diagnosis and treatment:

• Contact your health care provider if you suspect Lyme disease. Your health care provider may perform blood tests, a physical exam and check on your history of exposure. A blood test is not necessary for diagnosis of Lyme disease if the characteristic rash is present at the time of your visit. The blood tests are important if you have been ill for more than one month. The blood tests may be negative for two to three weeks after exposure. 
  
  

Treatment: Certain antibiotics are very effective in treating Lyme disease. If treated later in the illness, antibiotics are very effective, but symptoms tend to take longer to disappear even though the bacteria have been killed. A small percentage of people continue to have complaints after routine treatment, please discuss this with your medical professional. Long term use of antibiotics could be detrimental to your health due to adverse side effects.