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HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Throughout Montana, residents are noticing a significant increase in tick sightings.
Hill County Health Director Kim Larson says there are many things Montanans can do to prevent tick bites.
“Wear long sleeves, wear long pants, use bug spray that has deet in it, keep them away. And then always check yourself after being outside to make sure you don’t have any ticks on you. If you do, get them off.”
Larson says ticks have been spotted throughout the county, including by one of Weed and Mosquito District Coordinator Terry Turner’s employees.
“He had a worker go out in the mountains, and he was working on something weeds or whatever. He came back and had 15 ticks on him. I know people who have gone golfing with league and they had a couple ticks on them from there. They can be anywhere, in grass or in trees.”
Montana has seen at least nine cases of Colorado Tick Fever (CTF) this spring. However, the cases have only been reported in the counties of Beaverhead, Missoula, Ravalli and Big Horn. CTF is transmitted by the bite of an infected Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, and can cause symptoms ranging from fever and chills to vomiting and skin rashes.
Larson says the best way to remove ticks is by using either tweezers or a tick key. Tick keys can be purchased for $5 at the MSU-Extension Office in Hill County.
