As the weather warms up in Minnesota, it’s just about time for our resident creepy crawlies to make their grand entrance. Though the Land of 10,000 Lakes is beautiful, its water-filled landscape is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects. This year, tick season may be even more problematic than usual. Read on to learn all you need to know about the coming tick season in Minnesota.
Ticks are small insects known for sucking the blood out of humans and animals. This year, their population is predicted to surge in Minnesota, according to PestWorld. This is thanks to the snowy winter, wet spring, and coming warm summer.
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In Minnesota, there are more than 10 different species of ticks. The most common biting ticks are deer ticks and wood ticks.
Fritz Flohr Reynolds/Flickr
According to assistant professor Jon Oliver at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, these ticks tend to live in forested areas where they can take refuge in the humid leaf cover.
USFWS Midwest Region/Flickr
But you can find them in other parts of Minnesota, too. Prairies and grasslands are not void of ticks, so it is best to be on guard at all times. Why? These tiny insects carry harmful diseases.
Mark Robinson/Flickr
The most common disease carried by ticks is Lyme disease. In 2017, there were more than 1,400 new cases of Lyme disease in Minnesota. Short-term, this disease brings fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, and a rash.
John Tann/Flickr
Left untreated, these symptoms can become much more serious. Memory problems, facial droop, and spine and brain inflammation are among the worst Lyme disease symptoms.
John Tann/Flickr
To avoid contact with disease-carrying ticks, use repellants that include DEET. Those who go camping often may even consider specially treating a set of clothes with repellant.
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Other ways to prevent disease from a tick bite? Check yourself for ticks daily when you spend time outdoors. If you find a tick on your skin, immediately remove it with tweezers. Then monitor your symptoms for several days.
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PestWorld also predicts an increase in mosquitoes, ants, and biting or stinging insects. With caution and the proper repellant products, you should be able to avoid the brunt of their surge in population.
John Tann/Flickr
Do you have any tips for the coming tick season? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you’d rather just stay away from the woods, try going underground. Check out our article about the fascinating cave in Minnesota that will give you a surreal experience.
Ryszard/Flickr
Fritz Flohr Reynolds/Flickr
USFWS Midwest Region/Flickr
Mark Robinson/Flickr
John Tann/Flickr
Ryszard/Flick
John Brandauer/Flickr
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