Summer is fading, but that doesn’t mean the ticks are going away. Public Health Madison & Dane County said that this past spring saw an uptick (no pun intended) in tick-related visits to urgent care, which usually means a corresponding increase in the fall as well.
Here’s some details on what to know about the fall tick season, how health officials are monitoring it, and how to protect yourself against the little guys. [PHMDC, 🔒WSJ]
🪲 Ticks in Autumn
Fall tick season usually peaks in October, driven by large adult ticks that are easy to spot rather than small larval creatures. Ticks start decreasing in late November, but if temperatures don’t drop below freezing, they could even stick around into December.
This year’s tick-related emergency visits peaked at 73 visits per out of 10,000 visits in late May, and health officials are predicting another jump in emergency visits in October. As of Sept. 6, tick-related visits accounted for three out of every 10,000 visits. [PHMDC]
🔎 How Health Officials Track Ticks
PHMDC has an online dashboard tracking all kinds of reportable disease data, including tick-related illnesses.
This summer, health officials set out “tick check stations” in Dane County parks that include info on tick diseases, tweezers to remove ticks, a jar to put removed ticks in and a QR code linking to an online survey to report the tick activity.
The stations are currently located at Elver Park in Madison, Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton, and Indian Lake Dog Park in Cross Plains, although they are sometimes moved to different locations to respond to increases in activity. The stations are scheduled to stay open until through the end of the month, although they may stay operational later if tick activity warrants it. [PHMDC, WMTV, 🔒WSJ]
😌 How To Protect Yourself From Ticks
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, if you’re going into the woods or tall grassy areas, wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants tucked into your socks. Light-colored clothing is helpful in being able to spot ticks. Apply an EPA-approved insect repellent.
To avoid contact with ticks, walk in the center of the trail, don’t brush up against plants on the trail edge, and avoid tall grass and leaf litter.
If you find a tick on your skin, don’t panic. Remove it immediately, clean the area with rubbing alcohol, and check the Centers for Disease Control’s Tick Bite Guide to see if you should consult with a health care professional. [WDHS, CDC]
