Alert: Ticks Have Been Spotted – Here Are The Varieties To Look For In Minnesota

Last night, my husband suddenly jumped while we were sitting on the couch watching TV.

He said he felt something crawling on his arm.

At first, he though that it was probably a stray hair...maybe a piece of lint.  But when he turned his arm so we could see it, we both froze for a moment.

It was a tick.

In early March.

We looked at each other and said the exact same thing at the same time:
"It's way too early for ticks."

It is March And Ticks Are Already Active In Minnesota

As soon as temperatures start to rise above freezing, ticks become active again in Minnesota.  Pfizer states that when temperatures rise above 40-45 degrees F, you can count on ticks to start roaming around.  Climate change is also expanding the range where ticks are more active, meaning that more ticks are being found farther north.

Below is a guide on the different types if ticks and what to look for as you keep your body, your pets, and your kids tick free this summer.

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Varieties Of Ticks To Watch Out For And Ways To Stay Protected in Minnesota

Usually, I tell my family to start doing tick checks in May.  Based on information from the Minnesota Department of Health, May is when we normally see peak spring activity of ticks.  Based on my recent sighting of a deer tick on my husbands arm, my family is starting to check now.

Keep your eyes open for ticks.  Below are a few that are known to be in Minnesota and a few ways to keep yourself safe from a tick bite.

Minnesota Has One Of The Highest Rates Of Tick-borne Illnesses

Tick populations may fluctuate year to year based on the weather, but the cases of humans becoming ill from ticks is clearly rising.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 476,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed annually in the United States.  Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the Powassan Virus are also listed as illnesses associated with tick bites in our state.

Be aware.  Do tick checks.  Stay safe this spring and summer from ticks hiding in Minnesota.  And if you do notice a tick bite, click here to find a guide from the CDC on the next steps.