Spring in Wisconsin can be a beautiful season and brings about the sense of renewal and joy thinking of the warm weather ahead. However, since it is Wisconsin, it often brings huge temperature swings, mudslide rains, and that infernal nemesis, the tick. Tick season started very early this year due to an unseasonably warm winter and in my household, we’ve been finding them since February. Typically tick season falls between April and September, but with recent climate shifts, the rules have been thrown out the window. The result being the need to be on our toes for much longer.  

The rise of tickborne illnesses has made humans hyper aware of the risks to their bodies and those of their companion animals. Many of the ticks that grab onto our dogs will gladly travel to a human host. While there is a lot of fear surrounding Lymes’ Disease and it’s confounding nature, it’s always best to be well informed, and with education we can manage the actual threats to our families in a logical way.  

First off it’s important to know the difference between the two ticks most prevalent in Wisconsin and what diseases they carry. The more benign of the pair is the American Dog Tick, more commonly known as a wood tick. The wood tick, while not without its nasty charms, is not known to carry or transmit Lyme disease bacteria or anaplasmosis, the most common concerns for owners of livestock, dogs, cats in Wisconsin.  

The blacklegged, or more commonly called, Deer Tick, is the one to watch. This tick species is known to carry Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis, illnesses that can vary greatly in how it affects animals and humans.  

The good news is that when they are not fully engorged, both tick species are very easy to distinguish. Their bod markings are completely unique for the males and females of each species. The bad news is they are not easy to distinguish once they have been feeding off the host for several days. Both ticks are found in wooded areas and like tall grass or brush. They stay close to the ground and wait for an animal to brush up against them so they can bite and attach.  

Prevention is highly effective in guarding against potential tick bites. There are many natural products that come in a variety of forms to prevent ticks on both humans and animals, such as collars, oil spot-ons, and sprays. Common essential oils that repel ticks (and mosquitos) are cedar, peppermint, lemongrass, rose geranium, sandalwood to name a few. You can buy these products commercially or find a recipe to create your own spray. There are prescription preventatives as well, however they have had links to negative reactions in pets that many opt for the natural route.  

But don’t forget to protect yourself as well. The ticks on your house companions can just easily hop onto a human host. When you’re walking or hiking in grassy, wooded areas; long pants, high socks, and even plastic bags can be used to prevent the ticks from latching onto your feet and ankles, their most common jumping on spot. Check yourself thoroughly after any hiking event, as well as your pets.  

If you do suffer a tick bite, medical experts recommend keeping an eye on the bite for at least 30 days. If no symptoms occur (fever, headache, chills, muscle aches) then you are most likely good to go! If you do see the dreaded ‘bullseye’ or notice the above symptoms in yourself or your pets, seek medical attention immediately.  

The last bit of good news is that if treated quickly, both Lyme and Anaplasmosis can be treated effectively with antibiotics, humans, and animals. It’s always important to be prepared, but don’t let the fear of ticks derail your spring, summer, and fall adventures. Education as well as the wonderful array of tick prevention products on the market will go a long way to keeping you and your furry family protected.  

   

  • Photo is of a male and female Wood/Dog tick pair that I pulled off my pup earlier this week. So far this year, all of the ticks I have encountered have been Wood/Dog ticks, hoping for this trend to continue!