Tick talk
With Dr. Dykstra
Ticks can cause some serious health problems. With so many people enjoying Washington’s outdoor activities right now, we sat down with Dr. Elizabeth Dykstra, our public health entomologist at the Washington State Department of Health, to talk about the dangers ticks pose in our state.
When are ticks active in Washington state?
When the temperatures outside climb into the 50s, ticks become active and are out hunting for a meal. Springtime is when we notice increased tick activity. The Western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is common in the western part of Washington. The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) are more common east of the Cascades.
How can I protect myself?
If you spend time outdoors I recommend using a repellent with DEET on exposed skin and wear permethrin-treated clothing to reduce your risk of getting bit by ticks. Be sure to always check yourself, your family members, and pets for ticks. Showering within two hours of being outdoors is another effective prevention measure that can reduce your risk. If you find a tick attached to you or your family member, the best way to remove it is to use tweezers. You should grasp the tick as closely to the point of attachment on your body, and pull the tick straight out. Try not to twist it as you pull it away from your skin.
I hear DOH collects ticks, how does that work?
The Department of Health’s zoonotic disease program’s tick surveillance team begins dragging for ticks at sites throughout western Washington as well as at selected sites on the eastern side of the state in the spring. Tick dragging involves pulling a one meter square of white flannel cloth over vegetation and checking the cloth for the presence ticks. We find most ticks in grassy areas, oak scrub forests, and in edge habitats, where forests border open areas.
Is it true that people can send ticks they find to DOH?
Yes. Fill out the Tick Identification Submission Form (PDF) and follow the shipping instructions. We will let you know what tick species you submitted.
What do you learn from the ticks?
We have learned not only what species of ticks are commonly encountered by people, but where these ticks live and when they are most active. Some of the ticks we collect are also tested for several disease-causing pathogens. For example:
- Western black-legged ticks are tested for several pathogens, including those that cause Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. About two percent of the Western black-legged ticks we’ve tested are infected with the Lyme disease pathogen.
- American dog ticks and Rocky Mountain wood ticks are tested for the bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. We have detected the bacteria that causes tularemia in two of over 500 American dog and Rocky Mountain wood ticks. All of those ticks tested negative for the Rocky Mountain spotted fever pathogen.
Are ticks more prevalent this year than compared to past years?
So far, yes. This year is turning into a very busy year for ticks.
For more information about how to protect yourself from ticks and the diseases they transmit, visit www.doh.wa.gov/ticks.
