PENNSYLVANIA, USA — May is Lyme Disease Prevention Month, and with the weather getting warmer, health experts are warning about another early tick season.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tick season usually runs from April to October. But the season usually hits its peak around May and June.
With the weather getting warmer every year, ticks become active earlier.
Experts say that while humans are constantly changing the environment where ticks live, families will run into the parasites more often.
“We have changed their habitat and we have changed the distribution of animals that they feed on in terms of where they live," said Dr. John Wallace, a retired entomologist from Millersville University. "We have this clash of humans and ticks, and we can't get away from it because we like to be outside when it's nice and warm, and so do they."
Wallace also said as it warms up, ticks are looking for hosts to feed on.
The main concern is that they carry pathogens which can cause diseases in humans, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
“The danger is as these animals that blood-feed increase, as their distribution changes, across the environment, across the landscape, we become more exposed to the bacteria, the viruses, the protozoa that cause disease," said Wallace.
The CDC offers many ways people can stay safe this season.
First, they say to be aware of where ticks live. They can be found in grassy, brushy or wooded areas, or even on animals.
To check for ticks after being outside, experts say to make sure to wash and dry all your clothes that were outdoors to kill these parasites. Experts also say to shower within two hours of being outdoors, as it helps to reduce the chance of Lyme disease.
Also, carefully examine pets, because they can catch ticks and bring them inside your home.
To check for ticks on the body, experts say to examine:
- Under the arms
- In and around the ears
- Inside the belly button
- On the backs of knees
- In and around hair
- On legs
- Around the waist
The CDC also offers precautions people can take before stepping inside:
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. EPA’s search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.