Warm weather has brought an early arrival of a not-so-welcome critter – ticks.

Local outdoorsmen have reported the presence of ticks in the woods, so the Lincoln County Health Department reminds the public to protect itself from the disease-carrying arachnids. 

“They’re a vector of disease,” said Amy Smart, county public health emergency preparedness coordinator. “They carry around microorganisms that can cause problems for humans or animals.”

In Montana, ticks are known to be disease carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia and Lyme disease.

Tick season lasts from the onset of warmer weather in the spring until about mid-July when hotter temperatures and low relative humidity cause them to become inactive.

They live in moist, humid environments in wooded or grassy areas and crawl up on low vegetation to wait for people or animals to pass by and brush up against them.

Luckily, preventative measures can be taken before heading outside.

“Wear light colors so that you can see them,” Smart said. “Tuck your pants into your socks so that they can’t get in and climb up your pant leg inside, and check yourself when you get in.”

Children and pets should also be checked for ticks, Smart said.

If certain symptoms occur in a person who spends time outdoors, it may mean he or she was unknowingly infected by a tick bite. The most common disease known to be carried by ticks in Montana is Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

“The symptoms are headache and fever for no other apparent reason and feeling really tired,” Smart said. “If you are one of those people that spends time outside, that could be something to check for. The disease that they carry can go undetected.”

Keep ticks away

• Use repellent with DEET (on skin or clothing) or permethrin (on clothing).

• Wear light-colored clothing that allows you to see the ticks.

• Wear a long-sleeved shirt that can be tucked in, long pants and a hat. Don’t wear open-toed shoes and tuck pant legs into socks.

• Inspect your body and clothing for ticks during outdoor activity and at the end of the day. Check children and pets for ticks.

• Remove ticks right away to prevent some infections.

Sources: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention