Along with the warm weather comes the nasty bugs! Wood ticks are thought to be bugs but they are actually arachnids along with spiders, mites, and scorpions. They are found in wooded and grassy areas but sitting in your front yard is also an area to be watchful.
This week I was outside for no more than a half hour and I had found 2 wood ticks climbing on my clothing. I was shocked because I live in the suburbs so I wasn't thinking about having wood ticks in my yard. I only remember as a child getting them when I was up at the cabin or in the woods, not in my front yard. It is a panicky feeling when you see a wood tick on your skin with the number of people who have been diagnosed with Lyme's Disease, a disease contracted from a deer tick. Lyme's Disease can vary in severity but left untreated the disease
According to the University of Minnesota in an article written by Jeff Hahn, there is 13 different known species in the state of Minnesota. There are hard ticks and soft ticks. The hard tick is the species that the deer tick (also known as the black legged Tick) belongs to and also is the one that Lyme's disease can be contracted from. Recently it appears as though Lyme's Disease is more prevalent than in the past but more information has been disseminated to us through the health care professionals as they have learned more about this disease. Lyme's Disease is an infection that people can contract from being bitten by a deer tick. The deer tick spreads the disease to a human or animal once it has been engorged about 24 to 48 hours after it has bitten it's victim. If you notice that you have a wood tick attached. Click here to see how to safely remove a tick. If you do get bit and the tick is full of blood you want to make sure to see your physician to be put on an antibiotic to ward off Lyme's Disease. Pictures of what the ringed rash and to read about other symptoms, click here.
If you are going into a long grassy area or a wooded area it is best to put on a tick repellent that contains DEET. Make sure that you read the spray can or bottle for safety instructions and if there is an age limit for the use of Deet. For those who would rather use a more natural approach it has been found that adding a few drops each of lemon oil, peppermint oil and rose geranium oil to a spray bottle. Focus on the bottoms of the pants and spray all of your clothing. Wearing light colored clothing assists in finding the ticks that may be crawling on you, wearing close toed shoes and tucking your pants into your socks helps from them getting up onto your skin. Please be sure to read the warning label when using on children. A lot of the ingredients in DEET may not be safe for the younger children. A more natural approach may be the answer for the little ones but avoidance to areas that are more prevalent to having ticks.
It is important to check your body for any ticks once you are in the house. Taking a shower to wash off any repellent that got on your skin and check over your hair.
The fear of ticks shouldn't stop your from enjoying the outdoors but being educated about prevention, how to treat, and checking kids over and yourself will help you from getting the diseases that they can transmit.
