Tick, Tick, Boom
An early thaw and record-breaking warmth have turned the typical spring emergence of ticks into an explosion of them. Anoka County is a high-risk area for tick born disease according to the MN Dept. of Health. The two primary types of ticks Minnesotans are likely to pick up afield are American dog (wood) ticks and Blacklegged (deer) ticks. While wood ticks can transmit disease to humans, it is rare. Blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks) however, carry a bevy of diseases transmittable to humans. Some of these diseases can cause lifelong illness and suffering. Luckily, there are some easy strategies to implement while outdoors to reduce your chances of being bitten and infected:
1. Treat clothing with Permethrin. Unlike typical "bug spray", permethrin is used to treat clothing before going outdoors. It should not be applied to the skin. Permethrin is the most effective deterrent against ticks, and it also keeps mosquitoes and flies away.
2. Wear long pants, sleeves, and boots. Tuck your pants into your socks and shirts into your pants to reduce openings to your skin. Light colored clothing makes ticks easier to see.
3. Try to stick to mowed areas or trails if possible.4. After being in the field, immediately check all clothing and skin. Learn about tick life cycles and study photos of them to be well-prepared for identification. The MN Dept. of Health has a practical tick guide: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/tickborne/ticks.html
