Ticks Out Early this Season in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS - It isn’t just allergies that have started early; ticks are out in full force this April.

Mosquito Control told FOX 9, season certainly did start a lot earlier. Ticks start moving around and eggs begin hatching once the ground temps get into the 40s. They have no evidence there’s a bigger population of them.

But kids and pets have been outside a lot more than a typical April. At REI, they recommend hikers and campers wear clothing with insect repellent built right in.

You can also treat the clothes you already own. A few simple tips hikers use will work anywhere. By simply tucking your pants leg into your socks, it could help prevent them access to crawl in.

If you don’t have a remover, Mosquito Control says the best way to pull a tick out is to grab firmly, use tweezers if you want. Use antiseptic on the bite in case part of the tick gets left behind. And never use a match to coax one out. They say it does not work.

Metropolitan Mosquito Control District

Free Tick ID

1. If your tick has potentially fed (contains blood) call 651-643-8384 for further instruction or place it into a hard container such as a film container or pill bottle before continuing to follow these directions.

2. Ensure the tick is killed prior to mailing -- store tick in rubbing alcohol for approximately one day to make sure it's dead.

3. Wrap the tick in some tissue or paper toweling and lightly soak the package in water or rubbing alcohol. We want the tick to arrive slightly damp.

4. Place your package in a re-sealable plastic bag such as a sandwich bag.

5. Enclose your name, address, and a daytime phone number.

6. Place in a padded envelope and either mail it or drop it off at our office.

We will try to phone you the same day we receive your sample.

Mail to:
Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
Attn: Tick Lab
2099 University Ave. West
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone: 651-645-9149