What You Need To Know About Winter Ticks
Colder weather doesn't mean no ticks!
One of the most dangerous myths surrounding winter is that it is the one time of year you do not have to worry about ticks. Massachusetts natives are no strangers to dealing with these tiny and sometimes deadly pests. However, it is a widely held belief that during the winter it is too cold for ticks to be active, and therefore you do not need to be cautious of them. Some people will even stop giving their pets tick-prevention medicine during the winter months.
I myself have underestimated the threat ticks pose in winter, until this past year. I was walking my dog on a day after a snowstorm. The temperature was in the low 40s, but there was still snow and ice on the ground. On our walk, my dog walked into a grassy area, with some pine needles, but no brush or bushes. That night, I discovered 5 ticks on her, one adult, and four tiny nymphs.
Luckily, all five ticks were dead as my dog continued her tick-preventative medicine during the winter out of an abundance of caution. However, for many dogs, this is not the case. Humans too will spend time in the woods during winter without taking the proper tick preventative measures. For these reasons, it is important to know the truth about ticks and winter.
Are Ticks Active During The Winter?
In Massachusetts, the risk of being bitten by a tick is the highest from April through December. This is considered "Tick Season" and marks the time when they are most active. However, that does not mean it is the ONLY time they are active.
Ticks can pose a threat to you and your pets year-round. According to mass.gov, ticks can be active and moving during the winter any time temperatures are above freezing. This means any time the temperature outside is above 32 degrees, there is the possibility of getting a tick, even if there is still snow or ice on the ground from the day before.
What Should You Do If You Find A Tick On Yourself?
Regardless of the season, finding a tick on yourself is never a good thing. However, it is important to not panic, and take the appropriate steps to remove it as soon as possible. This is because the longer an infected tick stays attached to a person or animal, the more likely they are to get sick.
Mass.gov has listed the following steps that should be taken if you find a tick on yourself:
1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick — this can cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in your skin. If this happens, remove the mouth parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Mass.gov goes on to say, "Avoid folklore remedies such as 'painting' the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat. These may not cause the tick to detach and may increase the chance of the tick spreading disease. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible — not wait for it to detach. Note the date and where on your body the tick was removed. Notify your healthcare provider if you have been bitten by a deer tick or if you develop a rash or other signs of illness during the tick season. Your doctor may choose to treat you following a deer tick bite."