Ticks, small arachnids that feed on blood, are often associated with remote wilderness areas, leading many Seattle residents to believe they are not a local concern. However, ticks are present in the Pacific Northwest and can be encountered in both natural and suburban settings throughout King County and Western Washington. Understanding the specific species found locally and the health risks they pose is important for anyone who spends time outdoors.
Confirmed Ticks in the Seattle Area
The primary tick species in the Seattle area and across Western Washington is the Western Blacklegged Tick, scientifically known as Ixodes pacificus. This species is relatively small; the nymph stage is particularly tiny, sometimes no larger than a poppy seed. It is found in forested areas, oak savannahs, and brushy habitats, making it a common sight along wooded trails and park boundaries throughout the Puget Sound region.
Ticks do not jump or fly, but instead “quest” by perching on vegetation and waiting to latch onto a passing human or animal. While other species like the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick are present in Washington State, they are far more prevalent east of the Cascade Mountains. The Western Blacklegged Tick is the species most commonly encountered in King County. Its highest activity periods are typically in the spring and early summer, but they can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.
Disease Transmission Risk in Western Washington
The main public health concern regarding the Western Blacklegged Tick is its role as a vector for the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. While this tick is capable of transmission, the actual risk in Western Washington is low compared to regions in the Northeastern United States. The Washington State Department of Health reports that most Lyme disease cases among residents are acquired during travel to areas with higher tick prevalence.
Locally acquired cases of Lyme disease are rare, averaging only zero to seven confirmed cases per year across the entire state. This lower rate is due to the fact that a tick must typically remain attached and feeding for at least 36 hours to successfully transmit the bacteria. The Western Blacklegged Tick can also transmit the pathogen responsible for Anaplasmosis. Other tick-borne illnesses like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are primarily transmitted by tick species found in Eastern Washington, limiting the local risk in Seattle and King County.
Protecting Yourself and Proper Removal
Protecting yourself from tick bites involves preventative measures and diligent post-exposure checks. When spending time in brushy or wooded areas, applying an EPA-approved repellent to exposed skin is effective; these products often contain active ingredients like DEET or Picaridin. For clothing and gear, products containing Permethrin can be applied, as this chemical is designed to repel and kill ticks upon contact. Wearing light-colored clothing can also make it easier to spot a tick crawling on your clothes.
After any outdoor activity, performing a full-body tick check on yourself, children, and pets is recommended. Pay close attention to areas like the scalp, armpits, and groin.
If a tick is found attached, proper removal is accomplished using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, ideally at the mouthparts, and pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting or jerking the tick. After the tick is removed, clean the bite area and your hands thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Do not crush the tick’s body during removal, as this may increase the risk of pathogen transmission. Monitor the bite site for several weeks. Consult a healthcare provider if a rash develops, especially a target-like or “bull’s-eye” pattern, or if flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills occur.