By far, the most common tick in Utah is the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) accounts for most tick encounters with humans and pets. Does not carry or transmit Lyme Disease. More common tick-transmitted diseases in Utah stemming from the RMWT are Rocky Mountain spotted tick fever and tick paralysis.
While it is possible to contract Lyme disease from ticks in Utah, it is important to add context, which can be helpful to those who call with concerns. The only tick capable of transmitting Lyme in Utah is the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) and it is not the most common tick. In a recent survey of 160 sites in Utah over a three-year period, only 119 western black-legged ticks were found. Furthermore, 95% of them were taken from a few isolated sites in the Sheep rock Mountains. In addition, not all of the ticks will carry the parasite that causes Lyme disease. All 119 that were collected in this survey were tested, and none of them were carriers of the parasite. Other regions in the west report that less than 15% of the ticks carry the disease-causing agent.
So, the risk of Lyme disease transmission in Utah is extremely low, especially coupled with the fact that for transmission, the tick will generally need to be engorged for 36-48 hours in the host.
When you get ticks:
In Utah, the most likely time to encounter ticks is from snowmelt through mid-July, but can vary by year, elevation, geographic location, and climactic conditions. In general, the moist spring season promotes tick activity, while hot temperatures and dry summer conditions inhibit tick activity. Ticks can also become active again in the fall.
How they bite:
Scissor-like mouthparts (chelicerae) are used to cut into the skin and the barbed hypostome (straw-like mouthpart) is inserted. The tick secrets a numbing agent in the saliva as the hypostome is pushed into the skin, so bites are painless. When the mouthparts are in place, hard ticks secrete a cement-like substance that will help anchor the tick to the host’s skin. This process can take from 1 to 2 days. After the cement hardens, ticks become very difficult to remove.
How to remove
For larger hard ticks: Use tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, targeting the mouthparts. If tweezers are not available, use a loop of thread around the mouthparts or a needle between the mouthparts. Carefully pull the tick straight upward without twisting or crushing it. Use steady pressure until it releases. Crushing or squeezing a tick can cause it to regurgitate stomach contents into the bloodstream, which can contain tickborne diseases.
Small hard ticks: Scrape the tick with a knife blade or credit card edge, being careful not to cut yourself.
How to avoid:
Consider these tips to avoid coming in contact with ticks.
- Avoid grassy, bushy, and sage-brushy areas along the edges of woodlands and fields, from March to mid-July.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks. Apply tick repellant to clothing before entering the tick habitat. Pretreat clothing with products that are recommended to deter ticks and contain DEET.
- Wear light-colored clothes to make it easier to detect and remove ticks.
- Conduct tick checks everywhere on your body and if possible shower 2 hours after coming in doors, including armpits, waistline, belly button, scalp, and crotch areas.
- Check all gear and don’t leave your hiking clothes lying around, be sure to wash clothes or at least run in the dyer on high heat for 10 minutes to ensure tick kill.
Tick testing
We are currently working with the Utah Department of Health/USU on testing options. You can pick up a vial at the Quinn’s Junction Health Building (650 Round Valley Dr, Park City 84060) to place the tick in the alcohol solution. We will provide the shipping address. Expenses for shipping are paid by the client and the testing is paid by UDOH.