What Montanans Need To Know About Ticks This Season

Spring is here in Montana, and that means more time outside. Whether you are camping, turkey hunting, hiking, or just getting back into the woods, you are not the only one out there this time of year. Ticks are back too, and they are not exactly welcome company.

Ticks are small, but they can carry some serious health risks. While Montana has not traditionally been a hotspot for Lyme disease, things may be starting to shift. Cases in the state have historically come from people who were exposed elsewhere, but new findings suggest that could change.

Montana already has a few common tick species, including the Rocky Mountain wood tick and the American dog tick. These are known to spread illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever. There is a confirmed presence of blackleggd ticks (deer ticks), in eastern Montana. That species is known for spreading Lyme disease. Its arrival here points to a gradual westward expansion.

In other parts of the country, tick populations carrying Lyme disease are on the rise. Some areas have reported more than half of the tested ticks carrying the bacteria, which is a reminder of how quickly things can change.

The good news is that simple precautions go a long way. Wearing long sleeves, using repellent, and checking yourself and your pets after being outside can help reduce your risk. If you want more information on how to protect yourself, you can find it HERE.