Arkansas has a considerable tick population. This stems from environmental factors that create an ideal habitat. Understanding these reasons and health implications is important for anyone spending time outdoors. This article explores why ticks are common in Arkansas and how to protect yourself and your pets.
Arkansas’s Ideal Tick Habitat
The state’s warm, humid climate, with prolonged heat and significant rainfall, provides the moisture and temperatures ticks need to survive and reproduce. Consistent humidity helps ticks avoid desiccation. Many species remain active from March through October but can be present year-round if temperatures are above freezing.
Arkansas’s diverse landscape, including dense forests, wooded edges, and tall grasses, creates an ideal tick habitat. These areas offer shade and cover, maintaining necessary humidity levels close to the ground where ticks reside. Ticks do not jump or fly; instead, they wait on vegetation for a host to pass by, a behavior known as questing. Dense vegetation provides numerous perches for ticks, increasing their chances of finding a host.
The rich wildlife population also sustains tick numbers. Deer, rodents, and various birds serve as hosts for ticks throughout their life stages, providing necessary blood meals for growth and reproduction. White-tailed deer are primary hosts for blacklegged and lone star ticks, both abundant in the state. Numerous hosts ensure a continuous food supply, allowing tick populations to flourish across the state’s varied terrain, from the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains to its lowlands.
Common Tick Species
Several tick species are common in Arkansas. The Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is abundant and identified by a white spot on adult females. They are aggressive hunters, actively seeking hosts.
The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), also called the wood tick, is common. This reddish-brown tick has an off-white scutum on females and is found in open, grassy areas and along forest edges. The Blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), or deer tick, is smaller and dark. Though more common in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S., it is present in Arkansas, especially where white-tailed deer are common.
The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is active year-round and found around homes and kennels, as dogs are its primary host. The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) is also in Arkansas. They are found in grassland prairies and wooded edges; adult males have an ornate pattern.
Health Concerns from Tick Bites
Tick bites in Arkansas pose health risks due to pathogens many ticks carry. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), a frequently reported tick-borne disease in the state, is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. It is primarily transmitted by the American dog tick and can cause high fever, headache, muscle pain, and a rash on wrists, forearms, and ankles. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are important, as delays can result in severe illness.
Ehrlichiosis is another common tick-borne illness in Arkansas, with annual cases reported. Caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, it is primarily transmitted by the Lone Star tick. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, malaise, and muscle aches; a rash occurs more often in children. Prompt antibiotic treatment is advised.
Tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis, is also transmitted by Lone Star and American dog ticks in Arkansas. Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri account for a significant percentage of U.S. tularemia cases. Symptoms vary depending on the infection route but often include fever. Though less common in Arkansas, Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted by the Blacklegged tick. While a low-incidence state for Lyme disease, cases occur, and symptoms include a characteristic rash, fever, and muscle aches.
Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergic reaction to red meat, has been linked to Lone Star tick bites in Arkansas. This is a newer health concern, with instances reported. Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) is also associated with Lone Star tick bites, presenting with a Lyme-like rash, fatigue, fever, headache, and muscle and joint pains.
Protecting Yourself and Your Pets
Protecting yourself and your pets from ticks in Arkansas involves several preventative measures. When outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to create a physical barrier against ticks. Tucking pant legs into socks or boots further minimizes skin exposure. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks.
Use EPA-approved insect repellents on exposed skin and clothing. Repellents with DEET or picaridin are recommended for skin; permethrin can be applied to clothing and gear, but not skin. After outdoor activities, perform thorough tick checks on yourself, children, and pets. Ticks often attach in hard-to-see areas like the hairline, behind the ears, armpits, and groin. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can wash off unattached ticks.
Maintain your yard to reduce tick habitats around your home. Regularly mowing lawns, trimming dense vegetation, and removing leaf litter makes your property less inviting to ticks. Keep woodpiles away from the house and move play areas away from wooded edges.
For pets, consult a veterinarian about appropriate tick prevention products. Options include oral medications, topical treatments, and collars, offering protection against ticks and diseases. If a tick is found attached, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping it close to the skin and pulling upward with steady, even pressure.