March 24-30, 2025 is tick bite prevention week, and with the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures it is a good time to talk about tick safety!
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of their hosts. They often inhabit areas with tall vegetation and leaf litter. There are many different species of ticks found around the United States. One species found in Rocky Mountain National Park is the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni).
They easily jump from vegetation like tall grasses to a new host, like humans, when hiking.
It is important to be tick aware, as they can transmit diseases to humans like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Colorado Tick Fever. In the United States, ticks can spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause human diseases. There are many different species of ticks found in the U.S.
The most common disease spread by ticks in the State of Colorado is Colorado Tick Fever. This is a virus, and most people experience symptoms similar to the flu, such as headaches, fever/chills, and a feeling of fatigue. Ticks can also spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Rickettsia rickettsii) and Tick-borne Relapsing Fever.
Fortunately, the most important tick-borne disease in North America, Lyme disease, is not present in wild animal populations in Colorado (i.e., not endemic). There has never been a confirmed case of Lyme disease originating from a tick-bite in the State of Colorado.
Different species of ticks can be different sizes and hard to see.
NPS Photo
Ticks find their hosts by detecting animals´ breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat, moisture, and vibrations. Then they wait for a host, resting on the tips of leaves, grasses and shrubs. Ticks are not able to fly or jump.
While waiting for a host to walk by, ticks hold onto leaves and grass by their third and fourth pair of legs. They hold the first pair of legs outstretched, waiting to climb on to the host. When a host brushes the spot where a tick is waiting, it quickly climbs aboard a new host.
Source - U.S. Center for Diseases Control and Prevention
Strategies for Preventing Tick Bites
The best way to prevent tick borne illnesses is to not allow ticks to become embedded on you.
Protect yourself from ticks by taking the following actions:
When hiking, walk in the middle of trails away from tall grasses.
Check yourself and your kids for ticks every few hours. Check your head, ankles, wrists and waistbands.
Cover your skin by wearing long sleeves and long pants. Pull socks over the cuffs of your pants to prevent ticks from finding the skin around your ankles.
Consider using insect repellent that contains DEET or permethrin, which can be effective in repelling ticks. Always follow product instructions.
What to Do After You Come Indoors:
During tick season, always check your clothing for ticks. Ticks can be carried into buildings on your clothing. If you find a tick, remove it. You can also dry your clothing on high heat to kill any hidden ticks.
Do a thorough body check on your self and children after being outdoors. Use a hand-held mirror to view your skin. Remember to check the following places:
Arms, ankles, toes, and legs
Head, in and around your hair
In and around ears
Inside your belly button
Back of knees
Around waist and crotch areas.
U.S. CDC
If you find a tick on your skin or embedded, remove it!
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
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 the 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. You can smother it in petrollium jelly if the head is in your skin.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
To dispose of a live tick, submerse it in alcohol, place it in a sealed bag or container, or wrap it tightly in tape. Consider placing the tick in the freezer inside a sealed plastic bag and label it with the date, time, and location where you likely picked up the tick, in case you wish to send it off for lab testing at a later date. Never crush a tick with your fingers!
