Last year was one of the most active tick seasons Connecticut has seen, and while this year isn’t expected to be as bad, there is still a large tick population in Connecticut. Here is what you need to know about this year’s tick season, as well as what you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Why You Need to Be Cautious
Last year the weather was mild, which led to an increased mouse population. Since mice help provide the ideal environment for tick larva (baby ticks) to thrive, the population of ticks boomed. And while it has started to decline, the ticks are still very much a threat in Connecticut. Not only can they lead to Lyme disease if they stay attached to a human for too long, they also carry other diseases that were contracted from the mice. In fact, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reports that almost half of all the ticks they tested were carriers for at least one of the three diseases they screened for. Tick season in CT has already started, and it’s time to take notice.
Be Proactive for Your Health
The good news is that as long as ticks don’t attach themselves to your skin, you can’t be harmed by them. And there are plenty of things you can do to keep that from happening:
- When headed outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants to minimize the skin available for ticks to attach to.
- Use a bug spray with at least 20-30 percent DEET.
- Spray camping gear with an anti-parasite spray.
- Always thoroughly check everyone (and animals) who participates in outdoor activities,such as going on hikes, gardening, and playing under large trees – this is where ticks are most common. Pay special attention to anywhere that is especially warm, such as your scalp, neck, behind your ears and knees, and in your armpits. If there is a tick on you, you will want to find it and remove it promptly to minimize its effects.