Officials are saying Connecticut is experiencing an “extraordinary” season for ticks this year. Close to 40 percent of ticks tested so far were positive for the bacteria causing Lyme disease. There are many other tick-borne illnesses other than Lyme Disease such as the Powassan Virus, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Because of these illnesses, the “extraordinary” tick season is a growing concern.

CAUSE

The large tick numbers are due to a couple of things. The mild winters that we have had the past 2 years has resulted in higher over-wintering survival of the ticks, which are in the leaf litter. Also there has been a significant increase in the number of small rodents specifically the white-footed mouse, which is the primary host for the larval stage of ticks.

PREVENTION

Most people get ticks while working or playing in and around the home. The areas of highest risk are shaded areas at the border of lawns, and your tree line.

You can also try to prevent exposure of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases by reducing your exposure to tick bites. Tick-borne diseases generally occur during the summer months when ticks are most active.

Try and use the following personal protection measures:
• Avoid tall grass and over-grown areas
• If hiking stay in the middle of the trail
• Apply a tick repellent
• Tuck your pant legs into your socks
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and closed shoes or boots
• Wear light-colored clothes to help see the ticks easier
• Examine yourself, children, and pets for ticks when coming from outside
• Check underarms, scalp, groin, ears, and any other warm dark areas for attached ticks
• Have your property treated regularly by a licensed professional for tick control

ACTION

If you can remove an infected tick within 24 to 48 hours you can reduce the likelihood of Lyme infection.

Here is a tip from the Center For Disease Control:

“If you find a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers will remove a tick quite effectively.

How to remove a tick:
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.” https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html

This is the time you want to get your property treated for ticks, call Guardian Pest Control today and get a free quote for treatment.