Bug off: What to know about tick season in the Pacific Northwest

A person wearing hiking gear walks uphill through tall green grass.

Perform daily checks after spending time outside and take a shower to remove ticks before they attach. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

Exploring the great outdoors has many wonderful benefits, but one thing we can all agree isn’t one of them? Ticks.

The tiny arthropods are found all over the world. A handful of species bite and feed on the blood of people and pets, transmitting bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can lead to various illnesses like Lyme disease. Here in the Pacific Northwest, they’re most active in spring and early summer.

Don’t let them deter you from enjoying nature. Just like brushing invasive weed seeds off your boots before and after a hike, tick preparedness is part of responsible outdoor etiquette.

What to look for

The most common ticks in Oregon that feed on humans and animals are the American dog tick, the Pacific Coast tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the western blacklegged tick. The latter is the most common culprit when it comes to spreading Lyme disease, though less than 10% are thought to carry the bacterium and cases are rare.

Generally, an unfed adult tick is about the size of an apple seed. Contact your local OSU Extension office for help with identification or file a request online.

How to protect yourself and your pets

Ticks hang out in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas, so sticking to marked trails is key. Protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, close-toed shoes, and tucking pants into socks. You can also use repellent. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot a tick.

For pets, flea-and-tick treatments, shampoos, and special combs are available. Ask your veterinarian which is best for your animal and take time to thoroughly check your pet’s fur after an outing.

Even if you’re careful, a tick may still find a way to hitch a ride and get a meal. You’ll need to carefully follow a set of steps to remove it.

Events

Monday, May 15

Tai Chi | Monday, May 15 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland | $10 | Explore relaxing movements that improve focus and balance while surrounded by nature.

Tuesday, May 16

Buffy Trivia | Tuesday, May 16 | 7-9 p.m. | 4th Wall PDX, 1445 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland | Free | Test your knowledge of the late 1990s-early 2000s hit TV show about a young woman destined to slay evil creatures — and compete in the themed costume contest.

Wednesday, May 17

Shemanski Park Farmers Market | Wednesday, May 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Southwest Park Ave. + Southwest Main St., Portland | Free | Shop for farm-fresh and locally made food under a lush canopy of trees in the heart of downtown Portland.
Lunchtime Concert: The Marsh-Titterington Piano Duo | Wednesday, May 17 | 12-1 p.m. | The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 SW 11th Ave., Portland | Free | Tune in online or swing by in person for a musical break in your workday featuring two PSU Piano faculty members known for their dynamic performances.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

Two intersections along Southwest Capitol Highway will close as PBOT finishes paving work for a major Multnomah Village construction project. The intersection at Southwest Garden Home Road will be closed Monday, May 15-Friday, May 19 at 5 p.m., while the Southwest Primrose Street intersection will be partially closed Thursday and Friday.

Development

Ground broke last week on Cambria Hotels’ first PNW locations. The future Pearl District hotel on Northwest Park Avenue will have 178 rooms and six floors, while the Hillsboro location on Northeast Huffman Street will have 115 rooms and four floors. Construction is expected to wrap in the spring of 2025. (Portland Tribune)

Opening

A 75-year-old Portland diner aims to reopen next month. Fuller’s Coffee Shop at the corner of Northwest Ninth Avenue and Davis Street in the Pearl District closed in February after a fire caused extensive damage. Co-owner Mark Byrum said the remodel work is focused on “maintaining that old diner feel.” (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Plan Ahead

Treat your tastebuds to samples of ciders from more than 18 PNW cidermakers at OMSI After Dark: CiderFest on Wednesday, May 24, 6-10 p.m. Admission includes 10 tastings and access to live music, science demos, aerial performances, laser shows, food vendors, and OMSI’s new “Orcas: Our Shared Future” exhibit.

Film

An 8,000-sqft exhibit chronicling the 2023 Oscars’ best animated film comes to life at the Portland Art Museum this summer. “Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio” will pull back the curtain on the stop-motion film made largely in Portland, with a special appearance by the director on Friday, June 23. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Biz

Keep your group chats buzzing. This free newsletter offers insight into everything trending in biz (from the evolving AI landscape to soaring rent prices). Subscribe to become a conversation starter.*

Drink

Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof Spirits. The award-winning brand makes non-alcoholic rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey so you can enjoy the ritual of having a drink without feeling icky the following day. Psst — check out Ritual’s collection of cocktail recipes.*

Arts

A ‘chimeric’ pop-up

New pop-up at Lloyd Center showcases ‘chimeric’ art, apparel, and events

Several people stand in a room looking at art and retail items and talking.

Many of the art pieces on display at the pop-up are for sale. | Photo by @chimaera.site

The Lloyd Center’s time as a traditional mall may be over, but it continues to build a reputation as a hub for creativity and unique small businesses. Enter: “chimæra.site/afk” — a new community pop-up space open now through Friday, May 19.

Chimæra showcases locally made art and apparel. It also hosts free public workshops and music, drag, and dance performances. Organized by the former director and founder of Marrow PDX, Daelyn Lambi, the space features artists, makers, performers, and community organizers “who are thinking about the chimeric qualities of hybridity and (im)possibility.” A chimera, by definition, can be a mythical monster, a mental illusion, or the fusion of separate genetic material.

Events at chimæra range from fashion shows and open art hangouts to smartphone game arcades and sticker trading. You’ll find the pop-up on the mall’s first level, next to Hot Topic.

Want to round out your Lloyd Center visit? Check out Family Photo Studio or cool off at the ice skating rink.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

What would the City of Roses be like if we shared the sidewalks with Pocket Monsters? The owner of Stumptown Otaku will soon debut a colorful new mural depicting downtown Portland as a Pokémon destination. You can find it — and search for hidden Easter eggs within the design — when it’s completed at the gift shop on Southwest Second Avenue.

Missed yesterday's newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY