Ticks are present in Seattle and throughout Western Washington, though their presence in highly urbanized areas of Seattle is generally low. Ticks are commonly found in natural environments surrounding the city and across the broader Washington State landscape.
Understanding Tick Presence in Seattle and Western Washington
Ticks are less common in Seattle’s dense urban core due to a lack of suitable habitats like tall grasses, dense brush, and wooded areas. Paved surfaces, regularly mowed lawns, and limited wildlife movement contribute to this lower prevalence.
Beyond the immediate urban environment, tick populations become more prevalent. Ticks thrive in wooded areas, brushy landscapes, and tall grasses. Hiking trails, state parks, and the rural or suburban fringes of Western Washington offer ideal conditions. Areas like the Kitsap Peninsula, Pierce, Jefferson, Snohomish, Skagit, and King Counties have higher tick populations, often linked to significant deer habitats.
Tick activity fluctuates based on seasonal weather patterns. Ticks are generally most active from early spring through summer, with some species active from late fall through early spring during milder, wet weather.
Common Tick Species and Associated Health Considerations
Several tick species are found in Washington State. The Western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is common in Pacific coastal regions, preferring wooded and grassy areas. This tick is a known vector for Lyme disease and can also transmit anaplasmosis.
The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor anaplasmosis) is found in wooded areas and grasslands, including Western Washington. It can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, and tularemia. The Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis) also feeds on humans and can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Despite these species, the incidence of tick-borne diseases in Washington State is relatively low compared to other U.S. regions. A small number of Lyme disease cases are reported as acquired within Washington, with most cases contracted during travel outside the state. Not all ticks carry pathogens, and an infected tick must typically remain attached for at least 36 hours to transmit bacteria like those causing Lyme disease.
Protecting Yourself and Your Pets from Ticks
Protecting yourself from ticks involves several steps, especially in known tick areas. Wear light-colored, tightly woven long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tucking pant legs into socks or boots and shirts into pants helps keep ticks on the outside of your clothing, making them easier to spot.
Use EPA-approved tick repellents on exposed skin and treat clothing and gear with permethrin. When hiking, stay in the center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation. After outdoor activities, conduct a thorough tick check on yourself, children, and pets, focusing on areas like hair, head, neck, ears, underarms, and behind the knees. Showering within two hours of being outdoors can help wash off unattached ticks.
If you find an attached tick, remove it immediately using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Avoid folk remedies like applying nail polish or petroleum jelly, as these can irritate the tick and potentially increase disease transmission.
For pets, use veterinarian-approved tick prevention products as directed. Regularly check pets for ticks after outdoor excursions, as they can carry ticks into your home. If you develop a rash, fever, body aches, or flu-like symptoms within several weeks of a tick bite, contact your doctor and inform them about the bite.