OHIO — As summer gets closer, Ohioans may be excited for warmer temperatures, more time in the water, and overall, it simply just not being winter. 

But there's one season residents either aren't excited about or may not notice is in full bloom: tick season. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ticks are common in Ohio, especially starting in the spring and all the way until the middle of summer

  • The ones individuals encounter the most are the American dog tick, the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick, which ODH said are responsible for nearly all tick-borne diseases reported in the state

  • ODH shared what you need to know to stay safe from ticks this summer

Ticks are common in Ohio, especially starting in the spring and all the way until the middle of summer. The Ohio Department of Health states there are more than a dozen types of ticks living in Ohio, which many humans may not ever come in contact with. 

The ones individuals encounter the most are the American dog tick, the blacklegged tick and the lone star tick, which ODH said are responsible for nearly all tick-borne diseases reported in the state. The most common disease include Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Other diseases ticks can carry are tularemia, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) and Powassan virus, though they are rare, ODH said. 

ODH shared what you need to know to stay safe from ticks this summer:

Preventing tick bites

  • Avoid areas where ticks live, which include wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Instead, walk in the center of trails. 
  • Use tick repellents with o.5% permethrin on clothing. ODH said it remains protective through several washings. 
  • Cover up to keep ticks off your body. This means wear long pants, long sleeves and socks. ODH recommends tucking pant legs into socks or books, and tucking shirts into pants. Additionally, wearing light-colored clothing will help you spot ticks quickly. 

Checking for ticks

  • Examine gear, pets and your clothing. ODH said ticks can attach themselves to pets and eventually attach themselves to a person later. As an extra precaution, tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks. ODH said if clothes are wet, additional time may be needed.
  • Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors to find and wash off any ticks that are potentially on you
  • Do a full-body check used a hand-held or full-length mirror. Parents should check for ticks on their children, especially under the arms, around the ears, in the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and in their hair. 

Removing ticks

  • The best way to remove a tick is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
  • Pull away from your skin with steady, even pressure.
  • Don't twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If unable to remove the mouth parts easily with the tweezers, ODH said you can leave it alone and let the skin heal.
  • Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers, ODH warned.
  • Wash your hands and the bite area with soap and water.
  • Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or any other remedies to remove a tick, as they don't work.

Symptoms to watch for

  • With all tick-borne diseases, patients can experience fever at varying degrees and time of onset. There could also be chills.
  • Tick-borne disease symptoms include headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Some may also experience joint pain. 
  • Rashes can also happen, especially with Lyme disease, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis and tularemia.

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