Warmer temperatures to start May should bring out ticks near the North Shore and BWCA

The lingering cold and winter-like conditions this spring have delayed deer tick emergence in northern Minnesota. However, warmer temperatures and plenty of sun expected during the first week of May should provide ticks in Cook County and across the region with a needed boost. That isn’t welcome news for residents and visitors to the North Shore and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but it’s an inevitable fact of enjoying the woods in the region.

There are multiple species of ticks found in Minnesota, but the deer tick and the American dog tick (wood tick) are the most common. Of the two, the deer tick is the one of most concern. Deer ticks are often infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Jon Oliver, assistant professor with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. His areas of expertise include vector-borne diseases, ticks, mosquitoes, and Lyme disease.

To help manage and combat Lyme disease, Oliver suggests that individuals conduct daily tick checks. Oliver explained that Lyme disease symptoms could occur quickly. He said, “they start to transmit diseases within about 24 hours of biting.”

Listen to the full interview in the audio below.

Joe Friedrichs May 1, 2023