Protecting Your Family From Ticks
Summer is such a great time to get out with your family. Whether it is walking the many beautiful nature trails in our region, biking to a park, or just playing in the backyard, summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the weather. However, even a perfect weather day in New England does not mean that there are no worries. Ticks often see a population explosion during the summer months. That is why we need to take precautionary steps to protect our family members.
According to Vital Signs report, put out by the Centers for Disease Control(CDC), the cases of disease caused by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas have tripled in the United States since 2004. More than 640,000 cases of vector-borne diseases were reported during that time frame. Tick-borne diseases made up more than 60% of this number. That is why ticks are most worrisome this year. This map from the CDC shows how the New England region and the entire east coast is prime location for ticks especially Blacklegged ticks otherwise known as Deer ticks. That means that it really doesn't matter whether you are camping deep in the woods or just hanging out in your backyard, there is a possibility for ticks to spread disease.
Prevention Steps for Your Family
Some of the best suggestions to avoid contracting Lyme disease or any of the other tick-borne diseases is to take measures to prevent them before you head outdoors. The CDC suggests using repellant that has 20 to 30% DEET on both your skin and on top of your clothes. They also suggest that when hiking in the woods, stay in the center of the trail. Avoid walking into any tall grass or bushes.
Dress to avoid a tick bite. Wear long pants and long sleeves if you have to enter a forest or heavily wooded area. This can also be said about playing in your backyard. Try to wear light colored clothing so you can see the small ticks on the clothing. Obviously staying indoors is not an option all summer. After each time outdoors, check yourself, kids, and pets. This means looking in some uncommon spots like: your groin, armits, hairline, and even in between your toes. Ticks prefer damp and dark places. If you spot a tick call your doctor and follow the advice they have for removing a tick. Most practitioners will have their own method of removal, but all will tell you to make sure that the entire tick is removed. You may want to save the tick in a plastic bag for testing later if you see a bullseye or suspect that you may have contracted Lyme. Pest-End Exterminators offers a treatment option for your yard that can protect your family from both mosquitoes and ticks during the warmer months. Call us and talk to our specialists about how we can put your mind more at ease this summer when it comes to pests. Call us at 1-800-287-4321, 603-382-9644, or 978-794-4321.
