Utah does have ticks, and outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of their presence. Ticks are arachnids that feed on animal blood and can transmit pathogens. This article explores common Utah tick species, their habitats, potential health risks, and prevention and removal strategies.
Common Tick Species and Habitats in Utah
The most frequently encountered tick in Utah is the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). These ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, shrublands, open grasslands, and along trails, particularly at subalpine elevations. Their activity typically begins with snowmelt and continues through mid-July, though they can become active again in the fall.
Another species present in Utah is the Western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus), though it is less commonly encountered. These ticks are found in mixed scrub and forested areas, often near leaf litter, typically at elevations below 6,500 feet. While not as prevalent as the Rocky Mountain wood tick, their presence is noted in various regions, including the southwestern corner and around Salt Lake City.
Other less frequently seen ticks include the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), which may be brought into homes on infested dogs, and the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), primarily found on large mammals like moose and elk. Ticks generally do not jump or fly; instead, they “quest” by climbing vegetation up to three feet high, extending their legs, and waiting to attach to a passing host.
Potential Health Risks from Utah Ticks
Ticks in Utah can transmit several diseases, though the overall risk of serious illness is low compared to other regions. The most common is Colorado tick fever (CTF), a viral infection primarily carried by the Rocky Mountain wood tick. Symptoms often include fever, headache, and muscle pain. Utah reports one to two cases of CTF annually.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a bacterial infection, is rare in Utah, with about one case reported every five years. The Rocky Mountain wood tick can transmit RMSF, which presents with fever, headache, abdominal pain, and a rash. Tick-borne relapsing fever, caused by Borrelia bacteria, can be transmitted by soft tick species like Ornithodoros parkeri and Ornithodoros hermsii. Encountering these soft ticks is rare; O. parkeri inhabits burrows in basins and valleys, and O. hermsii prefers coniferous forests at higher elevations.
Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, has a very low likelihood of acquisition in Utah. The Western black-legged tick is the only human-attaching tick in Utah capable of transmitting Lyme disease. Most reported cases in Utah residents are associated with travel to endemic areas outside the state.
Protecting Yourself from Ticks and Safe Removal
To reduce the risk of tick bites, take several preventive measures when outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, tucking pant legs into socks or boots to create a barrier. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin (to clothing only). Stay on cleared paths, avoiding tall grass, brush, and leaf litter in wooded areas.
After spending time outdoors, perform a thorough tick check. Pay close attention to areas like the armpits, waistline, belly button, scalp, and groin. Ticks often take a few hours to find a suitable feeding site, allowing for timely detection and removal. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks.
If a tick is found attached, prompt and proper removal is crucial to minimize disease transmission. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, which can cause mouthparts to break off. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Dispose of the tick safely by sealing it in a container, wrapping it in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. If symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, or muscle aches develop within several weeks of a tick bite, seek medical attention and inform your doctor about the bite.