As if mosquitoes weren't bad enough, another pest has emerged in Illinois. Tick season has begun.
What are ticks?
Ticks are often thought of as insects, but they are actually arachnids, like scorpions, spiders and mites. The notorious bloodsuckers await their victims on the tips of grasses and shrubs. When brushed by a moving animal or person, they release the vegetation and climb onto the host. Some ticks can more than double in size after feeding. Some tick species transmit diseases.
More:When will cicadas be gone in Illinois?
Will it be a bad season for ticks in Illinois?
Experts have suggested Illinois may be seeing more and earlier tick activity. “We’re seeing less severe winters, which might lead to more ticks,” Maureen Murray, assistant director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo, recently told the Chicago Tribune. "Fewer ticks die during the winter, and ticks can be active sooner in the spring, just because it warms up faster.”
The 2023-24 winter season in central Illinois saw well above normal temperatures overall, according to the National Weather Service.
What ticks are found in Illinois?
At least 15 species of ticks occur in Illinois, but only a few are likely to be encountered by people, says the Illinois Department of Public Health:
The American dog tick, or wood tick, is one of the most frequently encountered. Adults will feed on both humans and dogs. They are most active in April, May and June. The American dog tick can transmitRocky Mountain spotted fever,tularemiaand possiblyehrlichiosisto humans.
The deer tick, or blacklegged tick, has been found in many parts of the state, including central Illinois. Favoring wooded areas along trails, the larvae, nymphs and adults all will eagerly feed on people. The larvae and nymphs are active in spring and early summer, while adults may be active at both times. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease and babesiosis to humans.
The lone star tick is mostly found in the southern half of Illinois. Larvae, nymphs and adults will feed on humans and other hosts. The lone star tick is most active from April through July, and can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
The brown dog tick, or kennel tick, is found through most of the country, but rarely bites humans. It is mostly found in dog kennels or in homes with dogs. It is not a major carrier of human disease.
How can I prevent tick bites and disease?
The IDPH offers the following tips for those who live in or visit wooded areas or places with tall grass and weeds:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a head covering. Light-colored clothes are recommended to more easily see ticks. Tuck pants cuffs in socks. Tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks can't crawl beneath clothing.
- Apply insect repellent containing 10% to 30% DEET, primarily to clothes.
- Walk in the center of trails to avoid brushing against weeds. Avoid sitting on the ground or disturbing leaf litter on the forest floor.
- Check for ticks every two to three hours. Most ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit disease organisms until they have been attached for four or more hours. If your pets spend time outdoors, check them, too.
- Ticks found crawling on the outside of clothes can be removed with masking or cellophane tape.
- Remove ticks promptly. The mouthparts may remain embedded and lead to infection if not removed quickly. Don't burn a tick with a match or cover it with petroleum jelly or nail polish. Don't use bare hands to removea tick because its secretions can carry disease. Instead, grasp it firmly with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently pull it straight out. If tweezers are unavailable, grasp the tick with a piece of tissue or cloth as a barrier between your fingers and the tick.
- Wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to the bite site.
- If you have an unexplained illness with fever, contact a physician.
More:Will it be a bad summer for mosquitoes in Illinois? Here's what to know to stay safe
What can homeowners do to prevent ticks?
You can make the property around your home less attractive to ticks by following these tips from the IDPH:
- Ticks don't thrive in short vegetation. Keep grass mowed and keep weeds cut. Clean up spilled birdseed and hiding places like old wood piles, which attract tick-carrying rodents. Insecticides labeled for tick control can be applied to small areas of high weeds that cannot be mowed if ticks are present.
- Don't let your pet wander. Free-roaming dogs and cats are much more likely to encounter ticks than those that are confined to the yard.
More pests:Is your dog eating cicadas? Here's why you should be worried about it
