Minnesota's Fall Temperatures Make Ticks More Active

The Minnesota Department of Health wants to remind residents that October marks another small up-tick in tick activity.

Cooler fall temperatures bring adult ticks back out, officials say, creating a second peak of tick activity in fall. However, the MDH has a list of ways tick bites can be prevented.

Blacklegged ticks are found in wooded, brushy areas. People who are outside in these areas, like outdoor enthusiasts or outdoor workers, are more at risk for being bitten by an infected tick.

To avoid tick bites:

• Walk in the center of trails to avoid picking up ticks from grass and brush
• Wear long, light-colored clothing to protect you from ticks and make them more visible if they are on you
• Use a tick repellent with up to 30 percent DEET or permethrin-based repellents for clothing
• Check for ticks, and remove them promptly

What is Minnesota doing about Lyme disease?

• The MDH Vectorborne Diseases Unit works with Minnesota residents to limit exposure to the ticks that cause the disease, and they monitor the spread of the disease across the state.
• The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District identifies and monitors the distribution of blacklegged ticks within the 7-County Metropolitan Area.
• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources educates the public on minimizing risk to tick bites.

Image via Lisa Zins, Flickr, used under Creative Commons