Ticks are present across the Pacific Northwest, inhabiting natural environments like forests, grasslands, and urban green spaces. Encountering them is possible during outdoor activities such as hiking or gardening.
Common Tick Species in the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is home to several tick species.
The Western Black-legged Tick (Ixodes pacificus) is small, often reddish-brown to black, and typically inhabits wooded and brushy areas, particularly along the Pacific coastal regions and the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains.
The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) is larger and reddish-brown, primarily found in wooded areas and grasslands, especially in eastern Washington and Oregon. The Western Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is similar, preferring grassy areas in eastern and southwest Washington. The Pacific Coast Tick (Dermacentor occidentalis) is dark brown with whitish-gray patterns, thriving in shrublands, chaparral, and along trails in the western United States.
Diseases Associated with PNW Ticks
Ticks in the Pacific Northwest can transmit several diseases.
Lyme Disease
One significant concern is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, primarily transmitted by the Western Black-legged Tick. Early symptoms often include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue, sometimes accompanied by a characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash known as erythema migrans. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to affect joints, the heart, and the nervous system. For transmission to occur, the tick generally needs to be attached for at least 36 hours.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is another bacterial disease that can be transmitted by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the Pacific Coast Tick. Initial symptoms, appearing 2 to 14 days after a bite, include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain. A rash, which typically starts on the wrists and ankles, may develop two to five days after the fever begins, though its appearance can vary. Untreated RMSF can lead to serious complications or be fatal.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis, caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is also transmitted by the Western Black-legged Tick. Symptoms typically appear within one to two weeks after a bite and can include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Delayed treatment can lead to more severe illness.
Other Conditions
Tick paralysis is a rare condition caused by toxins released in a tick’s saliva. Symptoms involve progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination, typically starting in the legs and moving upward. Other tick-borne illnesses that can be acquired in the region include babesiosis and tularemia.
Preventing Tick Bites
Taking precautions can significantly reduce the risk of tick bites when spending time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. Knowing where ticks typically live, such as in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, is a helpful first step. When in these habitats, staying on marked trails can help minimize exposure.
Wearing appropriate clothing acts as a physical barrier against ticks. Opt for long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and tuck pant legs into socks or boots to prevent ticks from crawling directly onto skin. Light-colored clothing also makes it easier to spot ticks that may be crawling on the fabric. Applying EPA-approved tick repellents containing ingredients like DEET or picaridin to exposed skin, or permethrin to clothing and gear, provides an added layer of protection.
After outdoor activities, it is important to conduct a thorough tick check on yourself, your children, and any pets. Pay close attention to areas like the hair, scalp, ears, armpits, inside the belly button, around the waist, between the legs, and behind the knees. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off any unattached ticks, further reducing the risk of a bite. Maintaining your yard by clearing leaf litter, keeping grass mowed, and trimming shrubs can also reduce tick habitats near your home.
Safe Tick Removal and Aftercare
If a tick is found attached to the skin, prompt and proper removal is important. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting or jerking the tick, as this can cause its mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. Avoid using methods like petroleum jelly, heat, or nail polish, as these are ineffective and may cause the tick to release more fluids.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Dispose of the tick by sealing it in a container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.
Monitor the bite area for several weeks for any signs of illness, such as a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms. If symptoms develop, or if you are unable to remove the tick completely, consult a healthcare provider, informing them about the tick bite and when it occurred.