A vector is an animal that can spread diseases from one person or animal to another. Some common vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, and rats. Mosquitoes can carry diseases like malaria and West Nile virus, ticks can spread Lyme disease, and rats can spread hantavirus.

Even though Carson City doesn't have a lot of these diseases right now, it's still very important to be ready. As the weather changes and more people move into the area, more contact with animals that can spread disease will occur. To address this growing issue, at Carson City Health and Human Services, we work to keep our community safe and healthy by watching for diseases, stopping the spread early by conducting abatement, and getting ready before a problem starts.

 Below are the locations in which we have trapped this season.

If you want us to trap at your location, please fill out the Mosquito Complaint Form.

General Safety:

• Wear gloves and use tweezers, do not handle ticks with bare hands
• Ensure all tick containers are sealed
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling any specimen, even when gloves are used
• Do not store live ticks in public-accessible areas

Tick Collection:

1. Removing the tick:
1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
3. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
2. Storing the tick:
1. Place the tick into a small vial or screw-top container filled with 70-95% isopropyl alcohol (this preserves the tick for identification).
2. If alcohol is not available, place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or a double-bagged container.
3. Do not tape, glue, or heat the tick as it compromises identification.
3. Label the Sample for testing
1. Submitter’s full name
2. Date of collection
3. Location (City, county, GPS if available)
4. Host (if you found the tick on a human, dog, etc.)
5. If the tick was attached or crawling
6. Duration of attachment (if known)
7. Any Symptoms observed
4. Submitting the Sample:
1. CCHHS Environmental Health will be accepting ticks that are properly stored and labeled.

Prevention:

1. Protect yourself:
1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes.
2. Pre-treat clothing with permethrin.
3. Apply EPA-registered insect repellent to uncovered skin (such as Deet or Picaridin). 
4. Check skin and clothing for ticks.
5. Shower within two hours of being outdoors to wash away ticks before they can bite and attach.
6. When hiking, stay in the middle of cleared paths and avoid brush and grass.
7. Apply insect repellant after sunscreen.




2. Protect your pets:
1. Ask your vet about tick prevention treatments.
2. Limit their time in tick-heavy areas.
3. Minimize exposure by keeping pets leashed on trails.
4. Check for ticks after being outside.