The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reminding residents what to do with ticks as they reach their peak for the season.
Data show that deer ticks are currently driving increased activity in the state.
Epidemiologist Rebecca Osborn says they can be harder to find because of how small they are, but “there are many ways to prevent tick bites, including using insect repellent, wearing clothes and gear that have been treated with permethrin, and doing daily tick checks when you are outdoors.”
Those walking in forested or grassy areas can also apply DEET-based insect repellent and wear brightly colored clothing to make it easier to spot a tick.
If you find a tick on you, remove it right away with a narrow-bladed tweezer as close to the skin as possible.
After the bug is removed, use rubbing alcohol or soap and water to clean bites and sanitize hands.
Also, if you develop flu-like symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider about the possibility of a tickborne illness.
Data surrounding how many ticks are being seen in Wisconsin can be found at dhs.wisconsin.gov.
