 Friday, March 28, 2025
Protect yourself from tickborne illnesses
 Did you know there are more than 840 known species of ticks? The good news is they aren’t all in Jefferson County!
Ticks are small parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, birds and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They are commonly found in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas. However, people can be exposed to a tick in their own yard. They can spread diseases to both pets and people. Diseases they carry include Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease.
Exposure to ticks can happen all year round, but they tend to be more active during warmer months. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nationally emergency department visits for tick bites increase significantly in the spring and summer.
The three most prevalent ticks found in Jefferson County are the Lone Star tick, American Dog tick and Blacklegged tick.
Before you head out to enjoy a spring hike or gardening in your yard, here are some ways to protect yourself from tickborne illnesses:
Before you go:
- Know where to expect ticks: grassy, brushy, or wooded areas.
- Treat your clothing and gear with products that contain 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that can be used to treat your clothing, boots, shoes and camping gear.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
After you come inside:
- Check your clothing for ticks. Remove any ticks you find. You can wash your clothes in hot water to kill ticks.
- Shower soon after coming inside. It may help wash off unattached ticks.
- Check your body for ticks. Check all parts of your body especially under the arms, inside the belly button, in and around your ears and hair, the back of your knees and around your waist.
Want more information on ticks in this area, how to avoid tick bites and how to safely remove a tick? Listen to WFPL’s On Track podcast “Tick’d.” It features Matt Vanderpool, an environmental health specialist with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. Matt studies diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes. You can also learn more at the department’s website.
Spot a Tick and Share
If you are bitten by a tick or discover one, please share it with us through our Spot a Tick and Share Program. Ticks brought in by community members helps our environmental health specialist identify what types of ticks are in the Metro area and what diseases they may be carrying.
The program launched in 2022. To date, more than 398 ticks have been speciated and tested for disease through the program. Of those samples, nearly 102 have been brought in by Louisville Metro residents and the rest collected by our team.
Early results show the most common ticks found in the Metro area are:
- Lone Star tick – 85% of collected ticks
- American Dog tick – 12% of collected ticks
Since the start of the program, three ticks have tested positive for disease, one with ehrlichiosis and two with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
To submit a tick, follow these steps:
- Place the tick in an airtight container, not a plastic bag.
- Cover the tick in rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
- Label the container with your name and contact information.
- Complete and attach this form that you can also find on louisvilleky.gov.
- Drop off the sample at Public Health and Wellness headquarters at 400 E. Gray St. Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
More information about ticks can be found on our website.
Earth Fest kickoff: Celebrating sustainability
You're invited to Earth Fest 2025, a vibrant, community-wide event in celebration of Earth Month at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 at Alberta O. Jones Park. The event will kick off a month of environmental awareness, sustainability initiatives and fun for all ages.
Join in the fun and celebrate our planet and the efforts being made to protect it:
- Mayor Craig Greenberg will help kick off Earth Month.
- Enjoy live music, performances, and family-friendly activities.
- Dive into sustainability with lightning talks from local experts.
- Explore volunteer opportunities and connect with organizations working toward a greener future.
- Visit a resource fair to discover local initiatives, programs, and eco-friendly products.
This exciting event will not only mark the start of Earth Month but will also spotlight the amazing work being done by local organizations dedicated to protecting Louisville’s environment and fostering a sustainable future.
For more information, please visit Earth Fest 2025 for details.
Join the conversation about mental health
 How does mental health affect your daily life? Our free virtual workshop, "Don't Be Afraid of the Conversation," is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will address topics related to mental health and substance abuse. The objective is to help individuals understand various aspects of mental well-being, reduce stigma, and confront related challenges.
The session will be led by Community Liaison Rev. Walter Holder, Jr., an experienced program coordinator and mental health specialist. Rev. Holder possesses expertise in quality control, psychotherapy, anger management, public speaking, and lifestyle coaching. He holds an Associate's degree in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries from Simmons College of Kentucky.
For registration details, please contact Jackie Love at Jackie.Love@louisvilleky.gov.
Launch your career with us!
 Public health workers include many people with different skills all working together to protect the health of the community. Join us!
Visit our Metro job opportunities webpage to learn more about these career opportunities in public health. You can also scan the QR code.
For more information, please email LMPHWCareers@louisvilleky.gov.
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