Ticks are present throughout Wyoming, making awareness and preventive measures important for residents and visitors. Understanding their habitats, common species, and potential health concerns allows individuals to better protect themselves.
Common Tick Species in Wyoming
The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) is a common species found across Wyoming. These ticks are typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch long before feeding, expanding to about 1/2 inch when engorged. Females have a brown body with a gray shield covering about one-third of their back, while males display a mottled brown and gray shield covering their entire back. They are most active during spring and early summer, with peak activity often observed in May and June.
Another species encountered is the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). This reddish-brown tick measures between 2.28 to 3.18 mm as adults. Unlike many other ticks, the brown dog tick can complete its entire life cycle indoors, making it unique and often associated with dog kennels and homes. While primarily feeding on dogs, they can occasionally bite humans. The American dog tick is also present in the state and shares a similar appearance to the Rocky Mountain wood tick.
Where Ticks Are Found in Wyoming
Ticks inhabit a variety of outdoor settings across Wyoming. They commonly reside in tall grasses, brushy areas, and wooded or forested regions. Leaf litter also provides a suitable environment for ticks. When recreating outdoors, individuals are most likely to encounter ticks along trails or paths with vegetation.
Ticks are generally active from early spring, typically mid-March, until about mid-July. While found across the state, certain ecological zones like the eastern plains, mountainous regions, and river valleys may have higher concentrations due to favorable habitat. They can also be present in urban green spaces with tall grass or wooded areas.
Diseases Carried by Ticks in Wyoming
Ticks in Wyoming can transmit several diseases. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial illness transmitted primarily by the Rocky Mountain wood tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick. Symptoms typically appear 3 to 12 days after a bite and can include fever, headache, and a rash. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important for RMSF, which can be severe.
Colorado tick fever (CTF), a viral infection, is also transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick. This disease often manifests with symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue, sometimes presenting as a “biphasic” fever. Most people recover, though weakness and fatigue may persist for several weeks. Wyoming has historically reported a higher incidence of Colorado tick fever compared to other states.
Other potential, though less common, tick-borne risks in Wyoming include tularemia, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. While Lyme disease is a national concern, the primary tick species responsible for its transmission, the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), is not endemic to Wyoming. Cases of Lyme disease in Wyoming are typically associated with travel to areas where the tick vector is established.
Protecting Yourself from Ticks
Specific steps can reduce the likelihood of tick bites when spending time outdoors. Wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and light-colored clothing to deter ticks and make them easier to spot. Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or permethrin (on clothing, not skin). Staying on marked trails and avoiding dense vegetation, tall grass, and leaf litter also minimizes exposure.
After outdoor activities, conduct thorough tick checks. Examine all areas of the body, including hair, ears, and skin folds, as ticks can be very small. Promptly showering after coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks. Also, check pets for ticks after they have been outside, and tumble-dry clothing on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any lingering ticks.
If a tick is found attached, remove it as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. If symptoms like a rash or fever develop in the weeks following a tick bite, seek medical attention and inform your healthcare provider about the tick exposure.