Spring is here, and so are the ticks!

Written collaboratively by Patrick Wagner, Amanda Bachmann, Philip Rozeboom, Brad McManus, and Adam Varenhorst.

As spring continues to bloom, more arthropods will begin to emerge from winter dormancy. Ticks are among the first to appear, and statewide reports have already been flowing in. Not only are ticks considered a nuisance, but they are also a human health concern. They require blood to fulfill their nutritional needs, and most species carry bacterial diseases. Although tick development and survival is favored during wet years, they are still present during droughts like the one currently impacting the state (U.S. Drought Monitor).

Ticks in South Dakota

Common ticks found in South Dakota include the American Dog Tick (Figure 1), Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Figure 2), and Blacklegged Tick (Figure 3). These species are known vectors of bacterial diseases, such as tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The blacklegged tick, previously known as the deer tick, can transmit Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. There have also been isolated observations of the Lonestar tick in South Dakota (Figure 4). This species is capable of transmitting the alpha-gal sugar, which can result in the development of alpha-gal syndrome. Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic reaction that occurs after consuming red meat.

Preventing Tick Bites

Ticks are most abundant in tall grass, forested areas, and near water, such as lakes or wetlands. When going outdoors, consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and long socks with shoes. This will prevent ticks from latching onto your skin if you encounter them. Furthermore, wearing light-colored clothing will make it easier to spot any ticks that crawl on you. Ticks can also be warded off by applying an insect repellent that is labeled for ticks. Repellants containing permethrin may be sprayed onto clothes and shoes to repel ticks through multiple outings. When choosing a repellant, make sure to read and follow all label directions. Pay special attention to how often it can be re-applied and what to do after use (e.g. laundering clothes, taking a shower).

After spending time outdoors, you should check yourself for ticks that may have gotten onto your body. Common places to check include the scalp, ears, underarms, back, waist, belly button, pelvic area, and legs. If a crawling tick is observed, immediately remove and dispose of it. When disposing of a tick, make sure to thoroughly crush it before flushing or discarding it in the trash. Ticks have very sturdy exoskeletons, and you may need to use a tool, such as pliers, to effectively kill them. It is also important to note that some ticks, especially juveniles, can be very small and aren’t as easy to spot.

Removing an Embedded Tick

If a tick is left on the body for an extended period of time, it will eventually embed itself into the skin and begin feeding. Embedded ticks should be removed promptly, but carefully, to avoid squeezing them. Squeezing can expel the contents of the tick into the wound, which greatly increases the chances of contracting a tick-borne disease.

To safely remove an embedded tick, first grasp the tick with pointy tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Next, pull the tick straight out with slow, steady force. Once the tick is removed, disinfect the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. If you would like to have the tick identified, bring it to your healthcare provider in rubbing alcohol, or in a sealed container. If you are concerned about a tick bite or develop other symptoms after the bite, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

The South Dakota Department of Health is collecting data on tick encounters in the state. If you collect a tick on yourself or a pet, please consider filling out their tick survey, so we can learn more about tick distribution in South Dakota.

For more information about ticks and other human health-related pests, check out An identification guide for Arthropods of Human Health Concern in South Dakota.

Additional Resources

• List of approved tick-repellent active ingredients, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Tick Encounter, University of Rhode Island.
• Tick Information, South Dakota Deptartment of Health.