Health Nuggets: Living with ticks in a high-risk zone

Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) are found in wooded or brushy areas, while American dog ticks (wood ticks) are found in grassy, more open habitat and woods.

American dog ticks are found throughout Minnesota, while blacklegged ticks have been found throughout most of the wooded parts of the state.

We are in an area of high risk for tick-borne diseases!

The majority of tick-borne diseases result from the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.

While ticks may be active whenever it is warm outside, be aware of when ticks are most active here in Minnesota so you can be extra diligent during these months:

• Blacklegged tick adults are most active in the spring and fall
• Blacklegged tick nymphs (immature ticks) are most active from mid-May through mid-July
• American dog tick adults are most active in the spring and early summer

Choose an EPA-registered product so you know it is safe and effective against tick bites.

Products containing permethrin, which are used on clothing and gear, are especially recommended for people who spend a lot of time in wooded areas. Do not use permethrin on your skin.

Standard DEET-based products are another option. Use a product containing no more than 30% DEET for adults. Concentrations up to 30 percent DEET are also safe for children (according to reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics). Do not use DEET for infants under two months of age.

Products containing DEET or permethrin will also protect you from mosquito bites and mosquitoborne diseases .

Ticks must remain attached for one to two days before they can transmit the Lyme disease bacteria.

Some research suggests that anaplasmosis may be transmitted more quickly.

Bathe or shower after coming indoors to wash off and more easily find ticks.

Search your entire body closely, especially hard-to-see areas.

Ticks may look like a speck of dirt or freckle on skin so use a parent or a mirror to help you.

If you find a tick on yourself, remove the tick as soon as possible. Prompt tick removal is important in order to lower your risk of tick-borne disease transmission.

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grasp the tick by the head, close to the skin. Pull the tick outward slowly, gently, and steadily. Clean the area with soap and water.

Avoid folk remedies, like Vaseline, nail polish remover or burning matches. They are not a safe or effective way to remove ticks.

Talk to your veterinarian about safe and effective tick repellents for your pet. Several different topical and oral products are available.

A Lyme disease vaccine is available for dogs. However, the vaccine will not protect against other tick-borne diseases and will not stop your dog from bringing ticks into the home.

Check your pets for ticks daily and remove any attached ticks right away.

Don't forget about ticks that may be on your clothing or gear. Check gear and clothing before bringing indoors.

Tumble dry clothing and gear in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill blacklegged ticks.

Ticks may survive wash cycles, especially if hot water isn't used.

If the clothes are damp or need to be washed first, additional dryer time may be needed: 90 minutes for low heat or 60 minutes for high heat.

If you live near the woods in an area with ticks:

• Keep your lawn and trails mowed short.
• Remove leaves and clear the brush around your house and at the edges of the yard.
• Keep children's playsets or swing sets in a sunny and dry area of the yard.
• Make a landscape barrier, such as a 3-foot wide border of wood chips, between your lawn and the woods.

The North Country Community Health Services Board (NCCHB) is a legal, governing authority for local public health. The NCCHB works with the Minnesota Department of Health to fund and provide local public health services in the counties of Hubbard, Clearwater and Lake of the Woods. More info at www.ncchb.org.