Ticks in Utah: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention and Removal

“Don’t let the fear of ticks keep you from enjoying Utah’s incredible outdoor activities.  Make tick checks part of your post-outdoor routine.  Checking from your scalp to your socks take two minutes and gives you peace of mind.  If you ever find a stubborn tick or spot an unusual rash, remember that Utah Valley Pediatrics is always here to help.” Dr. Wilson

Exploring the beauty of the Wasatch Front and the Uinta Mountains is a hallmark of growing up in Utah. While our state has a lower risk for certain tick-borne illnesses than other regions, local ticks are still active in our scrub oak and tall grasses. Understanding how to prevent encounters and respond if you find a tick on your child ensures that these outdoor adventures remain safe and enjoyable.

Where Ticks Are Found in Utah

In Utah, tick locations are highly dependent on elevation and the environment. The most common areas for encounters are the foothills and higher elevations, including the Wasatch Front and the Uinta Mountains. Ticks prefer transition zones where trails meet tall grass, mountain mahogany, or scrub oak. While less common in arid desert environments, they are still present in shady, moist microhabitats, such as riverbanks and near Gambel oak groves.

Ticks find hosts “questing”: The tick climbs to the end of tall grass or sagebrush and waits with its front legs extended. Because they sense heat and vibrations, they are ready to grab on the moment a person, pet, or piece of gear brushes against the plant. This is why walking through tall vegetation is the most likely way for a child to pick up a tick: They simply hitch a ride as you pass by.

When to Watch for Ticks

Tick activity in Utah follows a seasonal pattern tied to temperature and moisture. Ticks become active as soon as the snow melts, with peak activity typically occurring from March through mid-July. Activity often slows down during the hottest, driest weeks of late July and August as ticks retreat to stay hydrated. However, you may see a small increase in activity during the cooler autumn months before the first freeze.

Identifying Local Species and Their Risks

Utah is home to several species of ticks that parents should recognize, each carrying different risks:

• Rocky Mountain Wood Tick: This is the most common tick plaguing humans and pets in Utah. They are typically reddish-brown, with silver or white markings. These ticks can transmit Colorado tick fever—the most common tick-borne illness in Utah—as well as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia (aka rabbit fever). They are also the primary cause of tick paralysis.
• Brown Dog Tick: This species is present in Utah and can be brought into homes via pets. It is also a known carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• Western Black-Legged Tick: These are much smaller than wood ticks. While it is the only species in Utah capable of transmitting Lyme disease, research indicates that encountering one carrying Lyme disease in Utah is exceedingly rare.
• Soft Ticks: Soft ticks act more like bed bugs: They feed briefly and don’t attach themselves like more common ticks. You’re very unlikely to encounter them, as they are typically found in small animal burrows and old wooden structures. They DO carry tick-borne illnesses. 

Tick-Transmitted Diseases in Utah

Although tick-borne diseases are scary and serious, please remember that they are very rare, especially in Utah. The following table outlines the diseases and symptoms associated with ticks found in our region:

Proactive Prevention for Families

The most effective way to protect your children is to prevent ticks from hitching a ride:

• Dress for the Environment: Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck pants into socks to create a physical barrier. Wear light-colored clothing to make dark ticks easier to spot.
• Use Repellent Properly: Apply a pediatrician-approved insect repellent, preferably containing DEET or picaridin, to exposed skin. DO NOT USE DEET on infants under two months of age.
• Consider Permethrin: For families who hike frequently, treating clothing, backpacks, and gear with permethrin provides an extra layer of protection that kills ticks on contact.
• Stick to the Trail: Walk in the center of cleared paths and avoid brushing against heavy vegetation.
• Check Your Pets: Family dogs often act as “tick taxis,” bringing hitchhikers into the home. Always check and treat your pets after they have been in tick habitats.
• The Post-Hike Routine: Tumble-dry hiking clothes and gear on high heat for 10 minutes to kill unattached ticks. Perform a full-body check on your child, paying close attention to the scalp, the areas behind the ears, under the armpits, and around the waistline.

Safe Tick Removal for Kids

If you discover a tick attached to your child, do not panic. Proper removal is straightforward and significantly reduces the risk of infection:

• Use Proper Tools: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin’s surface as you can. Commercial tick-removal devices—e.g., tick keys—are also acceptable if used according to instructions.
• Apply Steady Pressure: Pull upward, applying steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick.
• Clean the Site: After removal, wash the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
• Apply Ointment: Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to the site to help prevent secondary infection.
• Skip Folk Remedies: Never use matches, petroleum jelly, or nail polish. Doing so may cause the tick to release stomach contents into the wound.

Video: How to Remove a Tick (CDC)

When to Contact Utah Valley Pediatrics

While most tick bites do not require medical intervention, parents should watch for specific symptoms of the following tick-borne illnesses:

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): Symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after a bite. Watch for any sudden onset of chills, high fever, and a headache, followed by a characteristic rash that typically starts on the wrists and ankles.
• Lyme Disease: Symptoms can appear three to 30 days after a bite, often presenting as a circular bullseye rash, fever, and fatigue.
• Colorado Tick Fever: Watch for any sudden onset of intermittent fever, headache, and muscular pain.
• Tick Paralysis: If your child experiences weakness or paralysis that starts in the feet and moves upward, seek medical care immediately.
• Infection: Contact us if the bite site shows increased redness, warmth, or pus.

If you notice any other concerning symptoms develop after a tick bite, see your pediatrician. 

Utah Parent FAQ: Common Questions About Ticks

Is Lyme disease a real threat here? 

Lyme disease is a threat, but a low one. While the Western black-legged tick is present in Utah, research suggests that encountering one carrying Lyme disease in our state is exceedingly rare. 

Should I save the tick?

Yes. Save the tick in a sealed container with rubbing alcohol. Preserving the specimen is helpful for identification if your child develops symptoms in the following days or weeks.

What do I do if the head gets stuck?

If the head gets stuck and breaks off inside the skin, clean the area and use a sterile needle to carefully remove the fragment from the skin. If you cannot remove it easily, visit a healthcare professional. They’ll be able to clean the bite and prevent further problems. 

Are there ticks in my own backyard?

Ticks can be found in any grassy or wooded area, even your backyard. Keeping grass mown short makes your yard less attractive to ticks, as they prefer the shade and moisture of taller vegetation. 

How long does the tick have to be attached to spread disease?

In most cases, transmission of disease occurs 12 to 24 hours after the initial bite. Removing a tick within 24 hours significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission.

If I find a red bump but no tick, could it still be a tick bite?

Because hard ticks anchor themselves with a cement-like substance for days, you would almost always find the tick still firmly attached. While a tick could be scratched off, a mystery red bump without a tick present is likely from a different insect.

At Utah Valley Pediatrics, we are committed to helping your family stay healthy. If you have concerns about a recent tick exposure, your pediatrician is your best resource for expert guidance.