Protecting Yourself from Ticks Year-Round

Ticks can be active in any season, and it’s crucial to check for and remove them as quickly as possible, especially after spending time outside hiking, gardening, or enjoying nature.

Introduction to Tick Safety

“Humans are outside more in summer, so we hear about more tick infections,” said Sam Telford, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts University. However, he urges caution year-round because “every season is tick season.” While tick populations vary regionally, some Northeastern states, including Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, are experiencing higher-than-average numbers of American dog ticks this year, according to Telford. New York state is also seeing a higher number of reported deer tick bites this year compared to last year, said Saravanan Thangamani, who studies tick-borne diseases at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

How Ticks Can Spread Disease

Ticks, like mosquitoes, need to feed on blood. But instead of a quick prick, they are slow feeders – with hooked mouth parts that attach into the skin of deer, rabbits, dogs, and people. There are many different species of ticks found globally, and only some spread germs that can make people sick. A main worry is blacklegged ticks, also called deer ticks, which can spread Lyme disease. Once found mainly in New England and pockets of the Midwest, these ticks are now present over a wider range. A tick bite doesn’t always lead to illness. “If you remove a tick within 24 hours of attachment, it’s fairly unlikely that you will get infected,” said Telford.

Checking for Ticks

Ticks are usually found low to the ground, in leaf litter or grassy areas. It’s essential to check your clothing for ticks and perform a full-body check, including under the arms, behind the ears, knees, and hair. “If you’re out all day long, try to do a quick check for ticks every few hours,” said Bobbi Pritt at the Mayo Clinic. “When you go back inside, take a shower. That will wash off any unattached ticks, and you’re also more likely to spot any other ticks.” Use tweezers to remove the tick, grasping it as close to the skin as possible to pull from the head. If you don’t have tweezers handy, you can also use your fingernails, the edge of a credit card, or any semi-sharp object.

Keeping Ticks Away

The best approach is to minimize tick exposure altogether. Bug sprays containing ingredients such as DEET can be sprayed on exposed skin to ward off ticks and mosquitoes, said Telford. Wear long sleeves and pants, and you can also spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin, a chemical similar to a natural ingredient in chrysanthemums that makes ticks avoid the flowers.

Protecting Your Pets from Ticks

Don’t forget to pay attention to outdoor pets. Medications can prevent fleas and ticks from attaching to a dog’s skin. But it’s still a good idea to check the fur after being outside. “Wherever pets can’t easily groom themselves, that’s where the ticks will be – on the ears, around the muzzle area, under the collar, between the toes,” said Thangamani. Dogs and cats roaming outdoors can also bring ticks into the house. “If pets bring ticks in, a tick can live in the house for months until it finds its next blood meal,” which could be another household member, he said.

What to Do After a Tick Bite

After removing the tick, keep an eye on the skin around the bite. If a rash or flu-like symptoms appear within several days or weeks, see a doctor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend tick testing because results may not be reliable.

Conclusion

Protecting yourself from ticks requires awareness and proactive measures. By understanding how ticks spread disease, regularly checking for ticks, keeping them away with repellents, protecting your pets, and knowing what to do after a tick bite, you can significantly reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses. Remember, every season is tick season, so vigilance is key year-round.

FAQs

• Q: What should I do if I find a tick on my skin?
  • A: Remove the tick as quickly as possible using tweezers, grasping it close to your skin.
• Q: Can ticks be active in winter?
  • A: Yes, ticks can be active year-round, including winter, especially in warmer climates.
• Q: How can I prevent ticks from attaching to my pets?
  • A: Use medications that prevent fleas and ticks, and regularly check your pet’s fur, especially in areas they cannot easily groom themselves.
• Q: Should I get a tick tested after removing it?
  • A: The CDC does not recommend tick testing because the results may not be reliable.
• Q: What are the common places to find ticks?
  • A: Ticks are usually found low to the ground, in leaf litter, or grassy areas.

    By CHRISTINA LARSON, Associated Press

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Ticks can be active in any season and it’s essential to check for and remove the bloodsuckers as quickly as possible — especially after you’ve been outside hiking, gardening or enjoying nature.

    “Humans are outside more in summer so we hear about more tick infections,” said Sam Telford, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts University. But he urges caution year-round because “every season is tick season.”

    While tick populations vary a lot regionally, some Northeastern states including Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are seeing “above average” numbers of American dog ticks this year, said Telford.

    And New York state is seeing a higher number of reported deer tick bites this year than last year, said Saravanan Thangamani, who studies tick-borne diseases at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

    The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.