Tick Season Off To A Strong Start In Minnesota

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news here but mosquito season is almost here in Minnesota. The nicer weather we've been seeing as we transition out of winter also means we have to deal with another type of nuisance: ticks!

I don't see ticks very often thankfully but they are a big threat of sorts in our neck of the woods. Tick season means we have to be on high alert.

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It's not uncommon for ticks to be spotted in March. However, things definitely escalate as we head closer to the summer season. This year tick season is off to an intense start.

A new report says that tick season is off to the strongest start in nearly a decade, according to data from the CDC. Let's dive in.

Tick Season Off To A Strong Start - Here's Why

According to this new report, so far this month, there have been about 100 emergency room visits for tick bites across the entire country. While this may not seem like a lot considering, it is actually the most visits since April of 2017.

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Ticks are typically spotted as early as March but can even appear in January. We are probably just too cold to even notice them and aren't outdoors as much! The CDC did warn the public to be on the lookout for ticks, even if you think it is still too cold, especially in Minnesota.

If you do see a tick, pull it off carefully and wash the infected area with soap and water. Checking for ticks is especially important because you could get a tick-borne illness. You can use extra caution by wearing long sleeves and using a tick repellant.

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You should also be sure to check your kids and pets for ticks. Summer isn't even here yet so be careful out there.