Marathon County Health Department Encourages Residents to Prepare for Tick Season

With tick activity starting early this year, the Marathon County Health Department is encouraging residents to take steps to protect themselves from tick bites and tick‑borne diseases. Data from the Wisconsin Tick Bite Tracker shows tick reports increasing earlier than usual in 2026. A warmer winter and expanding tick habitat created conditions that allowed more ticks to survive and become active earlier in the spring. As a result, people who spend time outdoors—including families, workers, and outdoor enthusiasts—are more likely to encounter ticks.

Simple steps can reduce the chance of tick bites and illness, including:

• Wearing long sleeves and long pants and tucking pants into socks when in or near wooded or brushy areas. Light‑colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot ticks.
• Conducting a full‑body tick check after being outdoors, especially behind the ears, along skin folds, and in the groin area. A handheld mirror can help check hard‑to‑see areas.
• Using EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

While Lyme disease is the most recognized tick‑borne infection in Wisconsin, several other diseases pose significant risks including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and less common but serious infections such as Ehrlichiosis, Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis, and Powassan virus. Many of these illnesses begin with vague symptoms—fatigue, fever, chills, headaches—making early recognition and prevention especially important. 

“Marathon County offers some of the best outdoor recreation in Wisconsin,” said Caitlin Suginaka, Health Officer. “With awareness and a few simple precautions, residents can enjoy the outdoors while staying safe from ticks all season.”

If you do discover a tick on you:

• Remove the tick as soon as possible using fine‑tipped tweezers. Grasp it close to the skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure.
• Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or an alcohol‑based sanitizer after removal.
• Save the tick in a sealed container or plastic bag if you wish to have it identified later.
• Watch for symptoms such as fever, rash, fatigue, or joint pain for the next several weeks, and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms appear.
• Do not crush the tick with your fingers. Avoid using heat or petroleum jelly. This can increase the chance of disease transmission.

Tick kits with tweezers, alcohol pads, and a resource card are available in Public Health Vending Machines in Wausau.

For more information on tick prevention and Wisconsin tick‑borne disease data, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website