Noticing more ticks than usual this summer? You’re not alone. According to early data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Wisconsin is experiencing increased tick activity.
Wisconsin DHS has launched a new tick bite tracking dashboard, allowing the public to monitor tick bite trends across the state. According to the latest data, emergency department visits for tick bites have increased compared to this time last year, with 46 tick bite-related visits per 10,000 emergency department visits reported from June 30 to July 6.
Though ticks are small, they can pose serious health risks. Ticks can transmit a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and others. In 2023, Wisconsin reported over 6,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease. Here in Monroe County, our largely rural environment increases the chances of tick encounters. Thankfully, tick bites and the diseases they spread can often be prevented with a few simple precautions.
Before You Head Outdoors:
Know where ticks live. Ticks thrive in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
Treat your gear. Use products containing 0.5% permethrin on clothing, boots, and camping gear. Pre-treated items are also available for purchase.
Use insect repellent. Choose EPA-registered repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), PMD, or 2-undecanone.
When You Return Indoors:
Check your clothing. Ticks can hitch a ride indoors on your clothes. Remove them and tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any hidden ticks.
Inspect gear and pets. Ticks often latch onto pets, backpacks, or coats before finding a human host.
Shower soon after being outdoors. Doing so within two hours may reduce your risk of Lyme disease and help wash off unattached ticks.
Do a full-body tick check. Use a mirror to inspect your entire body. Pay close attention to:
Under the arms
In and around the ears
Inside the belly button
Behind the knees
In and around hair
Between the legs
Around the waist
Stay informed and take action to keep your family, friends, and pets safe this summer. For more tips on tick bite prevention, visit dhs.wisconsin.gov/tick and follow the Monroe County Health Department Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.
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