Ticks are tiny bloodsuckers that cling onto unsuspecting hosts. They fall in the arachnid family meaning they have eight legs. And they’re most prevalent between March and mid-July.
Fun Facts
- There are two categories of ticks: Soft and hard. Hard ticks are more common with a hard exterior shield. Soft ticks are less common and sort of look like a raisin.
- Not all ticks carry Lyme disease. The only Lyme-transmitting tick in Utah is the Western Black-Legged tick which is very rare.
- The most common tick found in Utah is the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick. It’s a reddish-brown hard tick that can spread Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or tularemia.
Stay Safe
- Wear repellent and when possible long-sleeve shirts and pants. Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks. Don’t worry, all the cool kids are doing it.
- Ticks usually take a few hours or more (ick!) to find their feeding location. So check your entire body but especially armpits, backs of knees, waist, belly button, between the legs, around the scalp, and ears.
