Lookout for Ticks

This fall, as you venture out into areas with tall grass, shrubs, and or lots of trees, it’s important to be on the lookout for ticks. Late spring, early summer through mid-fall is when ticks are most active. In Colorado there are around 27 species of ticks present including the Rocky Mountain Wood tick, the American Dog tick, and the Brown Dog tick. 

Ticks transmit a variety of diseases including Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia and Lyme disease. Ticks climb onto vegetation and attach themselves to mammals to feed off the animals blood supply to sustain them nutritionally.

Before You Go Out into Nature

• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin per instructions and allow it to dry before going out.
• Spray a registered insect repellent to clothing rather than skin, especially in children, before going out.
• Avoid applyying repellents to hands or other areas of skin that may come into contact with the mouth and eyes.
• Make sure pets have been treated with a preventive product (consult your veternarian about product choices).

Returning Home at the End of Day Tick Check

• Examine gear, children and pets for ticks.
• Take clothes off and run through the dryer after coming indoors.
• Thoroughly check all body parts including the head and take a shower.

Reduce Tick Habitat

• Keep grasses mowed; bushes trimmed; and place a 3ft. barrier of gravel or wood chips between the wooded areas and the yard.
• Remove debris piles frequently and keep wood piles dry and away from the home.
• Keep yard furniture and play equipment away from wooded areas and in the sun.
•  Apply pesticides to outer areas and wood piles as applicable per labeling.

Tick removal guidelines

• Pull the tick straight up and out using tweezers and then clean the bite area.
• Take a picture of the tick for identification before disposal.
• Contact your doctor if you experience illness symptoms within 30 days and show them the photo.