Tick season has started early this year, but now we are in the heart of the active season.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf tells Raccoon Valley Radio why these insects got an earlier start and has led to more ticks this year than in past years.

“Our climate’s been a little bit different in the last few years and so the temperatures haven’t been extended – very, very, very cold temperatures in the winter – so it hasn’t killed off that crop of ticks from the previous year. So we are seeing more because of that fact.”   

Wolf notes that while there are over ten species of ticks in Iowa, three are the most popular, including deer, wood and Lone Star ticks. She points out that ticks can be found in wooded and timber areas, along with tall and prairie grasses. Wolf says ticks like to attach themselves to a person’s scalp, neck and belly button areas, as well as between legs, arms, behind the knees and in body folds. 

Wolf recommends doing self-checks for ticks after exiting the wooded and tall grass areas before heading home. If a tick is found and it is attached, Wolf advises that blunt tweezers are best to use near the head of the tick. She suggests tugging gently but firmly with the tweezers upwards and hold until the tick releases its mouth, then wash the area with soap and water.