Troy Schwans | New Century Press
With summer almost officially here, many of us are heading outdoors to take in the fresh air, sunshine, and all that nature has to offer. But with the change in season comes a growing concern—ticks. These tiny pests are more than just a nuisance, and this year they seem to be more common in our region than in years past.
Ticks prefer shady, moist environments and are often found close to the ground. They typically cling to tall grass and low shrubs, lying in wait for a passing host. Around homes, they’re commonly found in lawns, gardens, and along the edges of tree belts.
In South Dakota, the most commonly encountered species are the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. These species are known carriers of bacterial diseases such as tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. While the deer tick, which transmits Lyme disease, is primarily found in forested eastern counties, most Lyme disease cases reported in South Dakota stem from exposures out of state. Nonetheless, cases of tularemia and spotted fever rickettsiosis have occurred in several parts of South Dakota.
A tick bite often appears as a small, painless red bump. If you discover a tick attached to your skin, it should be removed carefully by using tweezers or tissue to grasp it as close to the skin as possible. It’s important to pull upward with steady, even pressure without crushing the tick. After removal, the area of the bite and your hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses may take several weeks to appear. These symptoms can include fever, chills, headaches, muscle or joint pain, rashes (either around the bite or on other parts of the body such as the arms or legs), and swollen lymph nodes. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact your doctor promptly and mention any recent tick bites or outdoor activity.
To help prevent tick-borne illness, people should take precautions when spending time outdoors. Wearing insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 can help protect exposed skin. Clothing treated with permethrin offers additional protection. After spending time outside, especially in wooded or grassy areas, it’s important to thoroughly check your body for ticks. Parents should carefully inspect children, particularly in areas such as behind the knees, under the arms, around the waist, inside the ears and belly button, and in the scalp. Pets should also be checked regularly and treated with appropriate tick prevention methods, as ticks can easily hitch a ride into your home on furry companions.
With some awareness and simple precautions, you can protect yourself and your family from tick bites and continue to enjoy all the outdoor experiences that South Dakota’s summer has to offer.