COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho is home to several tick varieties that do bite and can transmit disease to people.

Panhandle Health District has seen an increase in tick-related calls recently, including reports of bites and tick-related illness. As the weather warms and outdoor activity is more prevalent, PHD asks that the public take proper precautions in order to avoid tick bites.

Prevention strategies include: using insect repellents like DEET or other EPA approved repellents, seeking advice from a veterinarian about tick prevention products for dogs and reducing tick habitat in yards. Ticks typically dwell in tall grass, brush and wooded areas.

“Ticks can cause a high level of disease in North Idaho. They carry many different types of bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that can cause serious infections,” said Malia Nogle, epidemiologist for PHD. “These infections include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, tularemia, and Lyme disease.”

Different tick species transmit different diseases.

If a tick bite is detected, watch for symptoms: fever, headache, rashes, fatigue and flu-like illness. After being outdoors carefully check clothing and skin for ticks. If a tick is discovered, carefully remove it by grasping the body with fine-tipped tweezers as close as possible to the skin. Gently pull the tick until it releases. It is not advisable to remove the tick using fire, flames or chemicals.