Here & Now

Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease: Quick Tips To Not Get Bit

Frederica Freyberg:

We move from forestry and taxes deeper into the forest itself and the annual health threat posed by this insect. The deer tick and the Lyme disease it can carry. On the eve of a holiday weekend when many of us will be taking to the woods for camping, we paid a visit to UW-Extension entomologist and deer tick specialist P.J. Liesch.

P.J. Liesch:

When it comes to the tick forecast this year, it’s always a little bit hard to predict.

Frederica Freyberg:

While year to year predictions can be difficult, due to things like changes in weather and moisture. UW-Extension entomologist P.J. Liesch has come to know that in Wisconsin it’s always good to be cautious about deer tick exposure.

P.J. Liesch:

Even if the ticks aren’t necessarily booming in Wisconsin this year, we are one of the hot spots of tick activity in the U.S. So folks do need to be on the lookout and be taking precautions to prevent tick problems. First and foremost, if you are in an area with good tick habitat, such as dense wooded areas where we are right now, if you simply avoid those areas, that may be one important way to help avoid bumping into ticks in the first place. Another important thing to do would be to wear long sleeve clothing. If you have long sleeve pants on, and especially lighter colored clothing that may be easier to spot the dark colored ticks on. That’s one precaution we can do. And then there’s a number of EPA-approved repellents such as Deet, and certain other repellants that when applied correctly and properly, can help prevent ticks from getting on to you.

Frederica Freyberg:

Before you head out to the lakes and woods for the holiday weekend, here’s another look at the deer tick. To learn more on the topic, visit our news partners at WisContext.org.