By Rebekah Hall
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansans spending time outdoors this summer should take precautions to prevent tick bites and the illnesses ticks can carry.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, ticks cause more human disease in Arkansas than any other insect. Heather Wingo, extension immunization educator for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said that although not every tick carries disease, certain species can transmit serious illnesses. Prevention is therefore the most effective protection against tick-borne disease.
Tick-borne illnesses found in Arkansas include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Lyme disease, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, commonly called STARI, and Heartland virus. Alpha-gal syndrome, a potentially serious allergy to red meat and other mammal products, has also received increased attention as more cases are diagnosed.
When and Where Ticks Are Found
People are most likely to encounter ticks in grassy, brushy or wooded areas, as well as around animals. Ticks may also be present in residential yards without homeowners realizing it.
Although tick bites can occur throughout the year, ticks are generally most active during the warmer months from April through September.
Preventing Tick Bites
Wingo recommends several precautions for reducing the risk of tick bites:
- Avoid wooded or brushy areas with tall grass and accumulated leaves when possible. Hikers should remain near the center of established trails.
- Treat clothing, boots and outdoor equipment with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin.
- Use an insect repellent registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Effective ingredients may include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.
- Carefully follow the directions printed on insect repellent products.
- When using both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and the insect repellent afterward.
Pesticides may be used to reduce ticks around a home, but spraying alone should not be relied upon to prevent bites. Homeowners considering pesticide treatments can contact their local health department or county Cooperative Extension Service office for information about suitable products, application timing and local regulations.
Landscaping practices can also make yards less attractive to ticks. Residents can remove leaf litter, clear tall grass and brush, mow regularly and remove trash or debris from outdoor areas.
Playgrounds, decks and patios should be located away from wooded edges when possible. Firewood should be stacked neatly in a dry location. Homeowners may also create a three-foot-wide barrier of gravel or wood chips between lawns and wooded areas to make it more difficult for ticks to migrate into frequently used portions of the yard.
After spending time outside, adults should carefully check themselves, their children and their pets for ticks.
What to Do After Finding a Tick
A tick attached to the body should be removed as soon as possible using a clean pair of tweezers.
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible without squeezing its body. Pull it upward and away from the skin using steady pressure. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and wash your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
Anyone who finds one tick should continue checking the rest of the body for additional ticks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends disposing of a live tick by placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it securely in tape, flushing it down a toilet or placing it in alcohol.
Taking a clear photograph of the tick before disposal may help with identification. It can also be helpful to photograph the location of the bite and record the date it occurred.
Anyone who develops a rash, fever or other concerning symptoms within several weeks of a tick bite should contact a healthcare provider. The provider should be told when the bite occurred and where the person may have encountered the tick.
Vaccine Research Continues
Pfizer and Valneva have been developing a vaccine intended to prevent Lyme disease. According to Wingo, Phase 3 trials have been completed, and Pfizer plans to seek regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The vaccine has shown approximately 70 percent effectiveness in preventing Lyme disease among people older than 5, according to information cited by the Division of Agriculture. The proposed vaccination schedule would include an initial series of three shots followed by an annual booster.
More information about tick-borne illnesses is available through the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Department of Health.
The mention of individual products or brand names is for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
