MAY 6, 2025 |
Photo – Tick – Bigfoot99 file photo
The temperature is warming up. Water is flowing in the irrigation ditches. And the ticks will soon be biting. Summer is getting closer.
The Wyoming Department of Health reminds Wyoming residents to take simple steps to protect yourself, loved ones, and pets from ticks when heading outdoors this spring.
In a news release, Courtney Tillman, a surveillance epidemiologist with the health department, said past state records show people start seeking medical help in May because of tick bites. Ticks in Wyoming can spread diseases such as tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and Colorado tick fever (CTF).
The WDH warns that ticks live in grassy, brushy or wooded areas, or on animals. People can come into contact with ticks when walking, working or playing outdoors or when handling dead or live animals.
The symptoms are not pleasant, ranging from fever and swollen lymph glands to fever, chills and headaches.
Insect repellent can help, such as those containing 20 percent or more DEET and/or picaridin (pi-KAR-uh-den).
The health department also recommends treating your outdoor clothing and gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin, which can repel ticks, flies, chiggers, spiders and other bugs when you’re camping, hunting, hiking or just outside doing yard work.
Health officials also offer these tips. Avoid brushy areas with high grass. When hiking, walk in the center of trails.
Upon returning from potentially tick-infested areas, shower and search yourself and children for ticks. If you find any, remove them.
To kill ticks on dry clothing, tumble dry on high heat for 10 minutes after being in tick areas. If clothes require washing, use hot water.
Check pets for ticks; use tick control products recommended by veterinarians.
