Tick Season is Upon Us

Sheridan County Weed and Pest District (SCWP) has received several reports of ticks from community members and have encountered numerous ticks while performing spring surveys for weeds, grasshoppers, and mosquitoes. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has more.

Ticks from Sheridan County are being collected and will be sent to Teton County Weed and Pest where they will be tested for the presence of tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain Tick Fever. Sheridan County Weed and Pest is urging the community to be aware that ticks will be very active throughout the spring and early summer when they are seeking hosts. SCWP Assistant Supervisor Brian Songer says humans, horses, and dogs are especially attractive to the pests and low-lying areas with tall grass, brush and trees are a preferred habitat for ticks.

There are several preventative steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of tick bites. Wearing light colored clothing, tucking your pants into your socks, and applying products containing DEET to your clothing when outdoors are good tactics. Around the

house, keeping grass and brush cut back, especially if you have pets, will deter ticks. Insecticide sprays are generally discouraged as they can harm many other invertebrates that are essential to our environment. 

If you or your pet are bit by a tick, proper removal is very important. The tick should be grasped just behind the head, and slowly pulled away from the skin. Attempting to use heat to remove the tick is not recommended as it can cause the tick to emit fluid into the skin, causing other issues. Covering the tick with vaseline and similar techniques is also ineffective. The area where the tick bite occurred should be thoroughly cleaned with an

antibacterial soap. Any significant discoloration at the site of the bite, or other symptoms should be reported to a medical professional. If you happen to encounter a high tick population, you can report it to Songer at Weed and Pest.