Ticks: Vermont’s Worst Hitchhiker

Ticks might sound scary, but if you know how to stay safe, you can still have fun outdoors.

They hide and wait with tiny, barbed mouths, ready to steal your blood. What sounds like a horror movie is just part of outdoor life in Vermont. Ticks might sound scary, but if you know how to stay safe, you can still have fun outdoors.

Why Are Ticks a Big Problem in Vermont?

Ticks are found all over Vermont. They can make people sick by spreading diseases. In fact, Vermont has some of the highest rates of tick-related illnesses in the entire country!

One reason ticks do so well here is because winters aren’t as cold as they used to be. Colder winters used to kill many ticks, but now more survive. Also, there are more deer and mice in Vermont, animals that ticks need to feed on to grow. And since more people live near forests and woods, there are more chances for ticks and people to meet.

When Are Ticks Active?

Ticks can be active any time temperatures are above freezing outside, but they are most active in the summer months of June, July, and August. Doctors see tick bites every month of the year, so it’s important to always be alert.

Watch Out for Tiny Ticks!

Younger ticks, called nymphs, are super tiny, about the size of a poppy seed! These little ticks are hard to see and are more likely to give someone a disease because they can hide so well. Adult ticks are bigger and easier to spot, so people usually find and remove them faster. The good news is that ticks typically must be attached to your skin for a while before they can pass on any diseases. That’s why checking for ticks and removing them quickly is very important.

How Can You Stop Ticks from Biting You?

Here are some ways to protect yourself from tick bites:

• Use bug spray with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Spray your clothes and gear with permethrin and let it dry, just don’t spray it on your skin!
• After being outside, put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes. This can kill any ticks hiding in your clothes.
• Keep your yard tidy by trimming grass and clearing brush.
• Don’t forget to check your pets for ticks too!

Check Yourself!

After going outside, do a quick tick check on your whole body. Look especially in warm, hidden spots like your scalp, behind your ears, under your arms, your belly button, waistband, groin, and behind your knees.

What to Do If You Find a Tick on You

If you find a tick, don’t wait to see a doctor. Be proactive. Remove the tick right away yourself. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull straight up with steady pressure. Be careful not to squeeze it too hard. After removing it, watch how you feel for the next few weeks. If you get a rash, fever, headache, sore muscles, feel tired, or have swollen joints, you should see a doctor. Early treatment makes it easier to get better. Sometimes, the doctor may give you medicine to help stop Lyme disease before it starts.

Even though there isn’t a vaccine for Lyme disease yet, one is being worked on. Until then, careful preparation and a quick tick check after being outside is the best way to stay safe and keep enjoying Vermont’s beautiful outdoors!

By John H. Libby, MHS, Infection Preventionist at Rutland Regional Medical Center