CDC Shows Increase in Tick Related Emergency Department Visits Across Iowa

Another beautiful weather hike, and another experience with the creepy-crawly, blood-suckers we all hate. Yup, this weekend my wife, son, and I went to our favorite quick hike destination at Whitewater Canyon near Cascade. Not more than half a mile down the trail, I'd already pulled one dog tick off my son. And on our return leg to the vehicle, my wife had one crawling on her shoe. I've written about the influx of these nasties before, and yet again it seems like a bad year for ticks is in order.

Now, thank goodness, I've never pulled an attached tick off of myself or kids, but growing up on the farm, I pulled them off about every animal imaginable. If you've got dogs you walk, outdoor cats, enjoy a nice hike, mushroom hunting, or just lounging in the yard; you may want to stick around for a few details on these nasty, disease-ridden pests.

Get our free mobile app

What’s changed in recent years, and what I’m seeing more of in the research this season, is that ticks aren’t just “out in the woods” anymore. They’re spreading into more suburban edges, trails closer to towns, and even well-kept yards. Warmer winters over the last several years have helped more ticks survive through the cold months, and that means higher numbers earlier in spring. Not to mention the fact that one female American dog tick (wood tick) can lay anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 plus eggs in a single reproductive cycle. That part of my older article still holds up, but now we’re also seeing range expansion of certain species. Ones that have new illnesses outside of Lyme disease to worry about.

One big example is the lone star tick pushing farther north into the Midwest, including parts of Iowa and Illinois. That matters because it is tied to alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that can trigger a red meat allergy after a bite. Dude, I am NOT giving up my steak, prime rib, and burgers: I'd rather take a flamethrower to my entire yard than live through that misery. On top of that, blacklegged ticks or deer ticks, the main Lyme disease carriers, continue to be the biggest concern in our region, and health agencies are still reporting higher-than-usual tick bite visits to emergency rooms this spring compared to recent years.

So, when I say it feels like a “bad year for ticks,” that’s not just backyard observation anymore, although I have been saying it increasingly over the recent years. CDC updates this year and multiple recent public health reports point to increased activity and longer seasonal windows, especially in the Upper Midwest. If you want to dig into what I’m referencing, just follow the links in this article.

Read More: Several Ways Iowans Can End the Spread of Ticks in Their Yard

Now there are some simple ways to avoid ticks or at least minimize their impact on your outdoor fun. Things like Permethrin can be used on boots, clothing and gear, but should be applied ahead of time and hung to dry. After any adventure always do a once over, of yourself, kept company, and your pet; we're talking any crevices or hair-covered areas. Killing ticks on clothing will also require a trip through the clothes dryer which is one of the best ways to make sure they don't end-up in your underwear drawer.

Remember, the longer these nasties are on you, the more likely you are to be suspectable to the myriad of terrible diseases they transmit, which you can find outlined at the end of this article. And don't try to be fancy taking off the tick, a simple tweezers and a firm, low grip near its head is all you need.

I’ll keep saying it the same way I always have. The hikes are still worth it, but I’m a lot more intentional before I head out now. Long socks, quick checks when we get back to the car, and not assuming “it’s too early in the season for ticks” anymore. That mindset just doesn’t match what we’re seeing on the ground across the Midwest.