As warmer weather calls Washingtonians outdoors, enjoying everything from local parks to mountain trails, an unwelcome guest might be lurking: ticks. These small arachnids, often found on low-growing plants, are more than just a nuisance; they can transmit pathogens causing diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
While tick-borne diseases are currently uncommon in Washington state, there’s growing concern that rising temperatures due to climate change could alter this landscape.
Why Hotter Temperatures Could Mean More Ticks in WA
Climate change is leading to hotter summers and milder winters, creating conditions more favorable for certain tick species to thrive and expand their range. Experts suggest that Washington’s changing climate could become more hospitable to various warmth-loving ticks.
However, temperature isn’t the only factor influencing tick populations. Other environmental changes, such as shifts in vegetation patterns or even the regrowth after wildfires (which often starts with tick-friendly grasses and brush), can also play a role in their spread.
Will Tick-Borne Diseases Increase? It’s Complex.
Predicting whether a rise in the tick population will directly lead to a significant increase in human tick-borne disease cases is challenging. Several variables complicate this forecast:
Tick Species Variation: Not all tick species carry the same pathogens, and scientists are still learning about the specific disease-carrying capabilities of different species found in Washington.
Host Animals: Ticks typically acquire bacteria or viruses by feeding on infected animals like deer or mice. If local animal populations don’t carry these pathogens, the ticks won’t transmit them to humans or pets.
Data Limitations: According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), comprehensive statewide tick tracking data needed to make precise predictions is currently limited.
Hanna Oltean, a senior epidemiologist with the DOH, notes that while diseases are rare, prevention is still crucial. Currently, the number of reported tick bites and disease cases in Washington remains low.
The Concern for Pets
Veterinarians like Jennifer Johnson from Whatcom Veterinary Hospital express concern that tick exposure and resulting diseases might be more common in pets than currently recognized, particularly in Western Washington. She highlights that because the region hasn’t historically been considered high-risk, testing for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease isn’t always standard practice, potentially leading to missed diagnoses.
Johnson draws a parallel to heartworm, a parasite once thought to be absent in Western Washington but now present, suggesting that tick-borne diseases could follow a similar trend. She advocates for increased awareness and testing in veterinary settings.
Protect Yourself and Your Pets: Fight the Bite!
Given the potential for increased tick encounters, taking preventative measures is the most effective way to avoid tick bites and the possibility of disease transmission.
Here are key strategies:
Be Mindful Outdoors: When hiking, try to stay in the center of trails to avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks often wait.
Dress Defensively: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks. Light-colored clothing can make it easier to spot ticks.
Use Repellents: Apply EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone to exposed skin and clothing.
Check Thoroughly: After spending time outdoors, inspect your clothing, gear, body, and pets for ticks. Pay close attention to areas like the hairline, ears, armpits, groin, and behind the knees.
Remove Ticks Correctly: If you find a tick attached, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull straight upward with steady, even pressure. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Protect Your Yard: Reduce tick habitat around your home by keeping lawns mowed, clearing leaf litter, and creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn. Consider measures to deter wildlife like deer and mice that can carry ticks into your yard.
Year-Round Pet Prevention: Veterinarians strongly recommend using tick prevention products for pets year-round in Washington, as temperatures rarely drop low enough to reliably eliminate tick activity during any season.
While the full impact of climate change on tick-borne diseases in Washington is still unfolding and diseases remain rare for now, staying informed and practicing consistent prevention is the best defense for you, your family, and your furry companions. As health officials advise, avoiding tick bites is the most effective way to avoid tick-borne illness.
