Arkansas’s Most Persistent Pest is Back this Spring
Ticks are one of few pests that can cause humans lasting damage. They are known carriers of multiple diseases, pathogens, and parasites that can cause lifelong illness. Unlike other disease-spreading pests such as mosquitos, it’s difficult to structure your lifestyle around avoiding them, especially in wooded rocky areas like Northwest Arkansas. Any outdoor activity can bring you into contact with these disease-carrying parasites.
When is “Tick Season”?
The American south is host to multiple species of tick, including:
- American Dog Ticks, can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Black-Legged Ticks (AKA deer ticks), transmits Lyme Disease
- Brown Ticks, can be found indoors
- Gulf Coast Ticks, can transmit Rickettsia
- Lone Star Ticks, known for transmitting Alpha-Gal
Though people refer to the spring and summer as “tick season”, most species are active all 12 months of the year in different stages of development. Warmer winters are affecting the speed of their life cycle. Without the chill to kill them off in the winter, tick populations seem to be on the rise year-round. That said, the peak conditions for tick activity coincide with the hotter months– taller grasses, thickening undergrowth, and, chiefly, an increase in human outdoor activity.
Understanding Tick-Borne Illnesses
The links between tick bites and illness are being better studied and the public is taking notice. You’re likely familiar with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but scientists are discovering other illnesses whose origin can be traced back to tick bites, including one that’s been in the news lately– Alpha Gal Syndrome. Alpha Gal Syndrome was first described by scientific literature in 2002, which is relatively recent, and it’s taken until the last few years to become widely recognized by the public. Though the mechanism by which the tick bite infects humans is complicated, the gist is this: some Lone Star tick bites can cause a condition that functions like an allergy to the red meat of mammals. This includes beef, pork, venison, and others. It also causes reactions to some animal byproducts, like gelatins and glycerine, that are used in everything from cosmetics to over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen.
At Natural State, tick-transmitted Alpha Gal is more than a theoretical threat to our customers. Our Bedbug Manager, Shane Williams, contracted Alpha Gal Syndrome from a tick bite in 2024. We understand more than most how difficult it can be to avoid an allergen that’s in so many foods and products.
Staying Safe Outdoors
Though it’s never pleasant to find a tick on you or your pet, don’t fear the worst. Not every species of tick transfers disease, and not every individual tick is certain to be a carrier of pathogens.
To lower your risk of tick bites while enjoying Arkansas's natural wonders, we recommend:
- Wear Protective Clothing and Use Bug Spray
Most store-bought insect repellants are at least somewhat effective in keeping ticks away. Look for products with at least 20% active ingredient like Deet, IR3535, Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. They aren’t a magic bullet, but they’re a good start. In brushy areas, do your best to wear clothing that leaves little skin exposed, especially from the hips down. Most ticks are no higher than 24 inches off the ground when they find their way onto a human, so tall socks and long pants go a long way in preventing a tick from being able to access your skin. - Perform Body Checks After Outdoor Activitie
After spending time outdoors, whether hiking, biking, camping, or gardening, take a moment to check your body for any unwanted hitchhikers. Be sure to check folds in the skin and the backs of your legs, places ticks are more likely to evade detection.
If you’re wondering why “seed ticks” weren’t included in the overview of tick species earlier, it’s because they aren’t a species– they’re a tick in the nymphal stage. Seed ticks have yet to eat their first meal after hatching. They’re extremely small and usually lighter in color than adults, which makes them especially difficult to see on human skin. When doing body checks, be sure to look closely for any seed ticks– you want to avoid being their first meal! - Seek Medical Attention if Necessary
If you begin to develop any adverse medical symptoms in the week following the bite, including rashes, fevers, or body aches and pains, consult your doctor. Several of the illnesses carried by ticks will require medical intervention, and the sooner physicians can pinpoint any issues, the better. - Protect your Home with Yard Treatments
Though ticks often live in high grass or underbrush, they can be found just about anywhere. To reduce your risk of coming into contact with ticks at your home, consider a yard service. Natural State Pest Control offers a Yard Defense service that treats the entirety of your yard, providing a large field of coverage against fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. For any property bordering on brushy areas with dense undergrowth, and even those a few acres away from the woods, we highly recommend this service.
If all else fails, and you are bitten:
DO: Prepare to remove the tick immediately. Don’t panic. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, by the head. Get a firm grip and pull straight. This method makes it more likely to pull the whole tick off. Then inspect the spot where the host was bitten to ensure no part of the tick was left in the skin. Clean the area with a disinfectant. Take a few photos of the tick in case any adverse symptoms develop in the person that was bitten– it may be useful for doctors to identify the specimen later.
DO NOT: Use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove the tick. None of these methods are recommended by doctors. These techniques can cause further distress to the tick, which may agitate them into secreting more saliva into the host’s bloodstream. This increases the chance an illness will be transmitted to the host.
Enjoy Arkansas Without Fear
Ticks are just one part of Arkansas’s vibrant natural landscape, and with a few precautions, you can enjoy the outdoors without fear. Taking the necessary precautions when in the deep woods will greatly reduce your risk of a tick bite. For everyday forays into the outdoors, protecting your home with a barrier treatment is the best way to ensure that you don’t become a target for ticks. Whether you're hiking a mountain trail or pulling weeds in the backyard, knowing how to prevent bites and respond to them can help you enjoy Arkansas’s natural wonders.