Ticks in Wichita: How To Protect Your Family and Pets

Summer in Wichita means warmer weather, longer evenings, and more time outdoors. Unfortunately, you can also expect a rise in the activity of one of Kansas’s most dangerous and underestimated pests: ticks.

Ticks may be small, but they carry some pretty serious diseases. In recent years, tick-borne illnesses have risen in Sedgwick County and Kansas.  

In this blog, we’ll cover why ticks in Wichita are a growing concern, the types of ticks you’re likely to encounter, the diseases they carry, and, most importantly, how to keep your family and pets safe.

Why Are Ticks So Active in the Summer?

Ticks prefer warm, humid environments, and the Kansas summers provide the perfect combination of heat and moisture for ticks to thrive. You’re likely to find them hanging out in overgrown lawns, wooded and shaded areas, and fields with tall grass.

Here’s why you’re more likely to see ticks in the summer:

• Increased activity: Many tick species, including the Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick) and the American Dog Tick, are most active in late spring through early summer.
• More time is spent outdoors: Being outside more, whether you’re enjoying time on the patio or in the backyard hangouts, hiking at the park, or spending time at the lake, increases the opportunities for ticks to latch onto humans or pets.
• Wild animals are also on the move: Ticks hitch rides on other animals, such as deer, raccoons, and even birds. These hosts are primarily active during the summer, spreading ticks in Wichita and throughout the state.

Common Ticks in Wichita

There are a few different species of ticks in Wichita. Understanding the differences can help you identify potential risks. Here are the ticks you’re most likely to encounter in our area:

American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

• Most active in the late spring and summer seasons. 
• Prefers grassy fields, trails, and parks.
• Known to transmit diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia.

Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)

• Also commonly known as the Deer Tick.
• Can transmit Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis.
• They prefer wooded and brushy areas, but can be found in suburban backyards as well.

Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)

• These ticks are recognized by the white dot on the back of the adult female.
• These ticks are very aggressive biters.
• Known to transmit Ehrlichiosis and has been linked to alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy).

The Risks of a Tick Bite

Unlike mosquitoes, which usually cause immediate irritation, tick bites can go unnoticed for hours or even days. They aren’t painful, but they may transmit harmful diseases during that time. Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to tick-borne illnesses due to their size and tendency to spend more time closer to the ground. 

Diseases Carried by Ticks in Kansas

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Symptoms include fever, rash, and muscle pain. It can be fatal if untreated.
• Lyme Disease: While less common in Kansas than in northeastern states, cases are rising. Early signs include a bullseye rash and flu-like symptoms.
• Ehrlichiosis: A bacterial illness that can cause fever, chills, and gastrointestinal issues.
• Tularemia: A rare but serious illness affecting the skin, eyes, and lungs.
• Tick Paralysis: Caused by a neurotoxin in tick saliva; can lead to muscle weakness and breathing difficulty.

How to Keep Ticks Away

You can’t control the weather, but you can take steps to make your yard and home less tick-friendly. Here’s how you can protect your home, yard, family, and pets:

Around Your Yard:

• Mow Regularly: Ticks love tall grass. Keep your lawn trimmed short and edges clean.
• Remove Leaf Litter and Brush: Ticks hide in organic debris and shady piles.
• Create a Tick-Free Barrier: To limit tick migration, use gravel or wood chips between lawn and wooded areas.
• Treat with Professional Tick Control: A trusted pest control provider can apply effective treatments to reduce tick populations in your yard.

On Yourself and Family:

• Wear light-colored clothing: This makes it easier to spot ticks.
• Tuck your pants into your socks: It may not be the latest fashion trend, but it works! 
• Use tick repellent products containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin (for clothes only).

For Your Pets:

• Tick collars and spot treatments: Ask your vet about year-round preventatives.
• Regular checks after walks or playtime outdoors. Inspect pets closely, especially around ears, paws, and under the collar.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

If you find a tick, don’t panic. Here’s how to remove it the right way:

• Grab some fine-tipped tweezers. Get a good grip as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull upward slowly with steady pressure. No twisting or jerking.
• Clean the area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
• If you’re worried, save the tick in a plastic bag just in case symptoms show up.

When to Call the Pros

If you’re seeing multiple ticks in your yard, or if your family or pets have had repeated bites, it’s time to call in professional help. At Betts Pest Control, we offer:

• Integrated Pest Management: Comprehensive plans that make your home less attractive to ticks and other pests. 
• Yard treatments targeting pests such as rodents and insects help remove tick hosts.
• Strategies reduce tick harborage zones around your home and yard.

With Orkin behind our services, you get the backing of 120+ years of pest control expertise, right here in Wichita.

Don’t Let Ticks Get To You 

As you enjoy your summer adventures, make sure you’re taking the proper steps to protect your family and pets without the constant worry of tick bites and the illnesses they may carry.

A little prevention goes a long way. And when in doubt, call in the professionals at Betts to evaluate your property and recommend pest control strategies for a tick-free environment.

Contact us today to schedule a free home consultation and find out how our pest prevention programs can help you build a safer, healthier environment.

Learn more about common tick species here.