.png)
Reducing exposure to ticks is the best way to avoid getting a tickborne disease. Ticks are most active during warmer months, but you can be exposed to ticks at any time of year.
The most commonly found ticks in Wisconsin are the deer tick (called the blacklegged tick by specialists) and the wood tick (called the American dog tick by specialists). Click on their images below to learn more about each species. Information and imagery comes from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical Entomology Laboratory.
Deer Tick Wood Tick
Protection against tick bites
- Use insect repellents on exposed skin and clothes to prevent tick bites. Repellents should contain one of these:
- 20–30% DEET, 10–20% Picaridin, 15–20% IR3535, or 30–40% oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Click here to read a detailed guide about insect repellents.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and tall socks that are light-colored to spot ticks more easily.
- Avoid direct contact with ticks by avoiding wooded and brushy areas by walking in the center of trails.
- Check for ticks after being outdoors by performing a full-body tick check, tumble drying clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes, and taking a shower within two hours of coming in after being outdoors.
(WI Dept. of Health Services)
Removing a tick: What to do and what not to do
Do:
Do:
- Grasp tick with a narrow-bladed tweezers as close as possible to the skin.
- If tweezers are not available, use fingers shielded with tissue paper or rubber gloves.
- Pull upward and out with a firm and steady tension.
Don't
- Don't use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products.
- Don't handle tick with bare hands.
- Don't squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick, which may contain infectious fluids.
- Don't twist the tick, since this can cause the mouthparts to break off and stay in the skin.
Ways to prevent ticks near your home
Ways to prevent ticks near your home
- Don’t feed the deer in your yard.
- Mow lawns often and clear taller grass from the yard or trails.
- Remove wood piles. Have stacked wood away from house.
Illnesses spread by ticks
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. Lyme is the most common illness spread by ticks. It is spread to humans by the bite of an infected deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick. First signs may be a fever or rash, but could also include: sweats, chills, headache, stiff neck, and muscle/joint pain. Lyme's is treated with antibiotics, but very important to get treatment as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Similar to Lyme’s Disease, Anaplasmosis is spread by deer ticks. Symptoms include fever, chills, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Anaplasmosis is treated with antibiotics, but very important to get treatment as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is an illness spread by the deer tick, and is caused by a tiny parasite called Babesia. This parasite infects and destroys red blood cells. Some individuals who are infected with Babesia do not show any signs or symptoms. Older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those who don’t have spleens are at higher risk. Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, anemia, jaundice, low blood platelets, and spleen/liver enlargement. For babesiosis, a combination of antibiotics used with certain antiparasitic drugs works well in most patients. Severe cases may require a blood transfusion.
Ehrlichiosis
In Wisconsin, ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis. Symptoms include those similar to Anaplasmosis, plus confusion and tiredness. Ehrlichiosis, too, is treated with antibiotics, but it is very important to get treatment as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Powassan Virus
Powassan virus is an illness spread to humans by the bite of an infected deer tick. It's rare in Wisconsin, with most cases occuring in the northern area of the state. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and a stiff neck. Powassan virus can cause serious illness and there isn't a treatment or vaccine, so see your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms after being outdoors, even if you don’t remember being bitten by a tick.
Illnesses spread by ticks
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. Lyme is the most common illness spread by ticks. It is spread to humans by the bite of an infected deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick. First signs may be a fever or rash, but could also include: sweats, chills, headache, stiff neck, and muscle/joint pain. Lyme's is treated with antibiotics, but very important to get treatment as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Similar to Lyme’s Disease, Anaplasmosis is spread by deer ticks. Symptoms include fever, chills, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Anaplasmosis is treated with antibiotics, but very important to get treatment as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is an illness spread by the deer tick, and is caused by a tiny parasite called Babesia. This parasite infects and destroys red blood cells. Some individuals who are infected with Babesia do not show any signs or symptoms. Older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those who don’t have spleens are at higher risk. Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, anemia, jaundice, low blood platelets, and spleen/liver enlargement. For babesiosis, a combination of antibiotics used with certain antiparasitic drugs works well in most patients. Severe cases may require a blood transfusion.
Ehrlichiosis
In Wisconsin, ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis. Symptoms include those similar to Anaplasmosis, plus confusion and tiredness. Ehrlichiosis, too, is treated with antibiotics, but it is very important to get treatment as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Powassan Virus
Powassan virus is an illness spread to humans by the bite of an infected deer tick. It's rare in Wisconsin, with most cases occuring in the northern area of the state. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and a stiff neck. Powassan virus can cause serious illness and there isn't a treatment or vaccine, so see your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms after being outdoors, even if you don’t remember being bitten by a tick.
(WI Dept. of Health Services)