It's Tick Season!

The summer weather brings the ticks out and we need to be on the watch for these little bugs. There are two types of ticks in our area, the American dog tick (wood tick) and the deer tick (black-legged tick). Dog ticks are larger than the deer tick and do not carry Lyme disease. These are the most common ticks in our area. Deer ticks are much smaller - about 1/8 inch. They can be dark brown to bright red in color. They have black legs and are becoming more common. Deer ticks carry Lyme disease.

Testing in Lake County showed that 37% of the deer ticks tested showed positive for Lyme disease. Be sure to check yourself, your family members and pets frequently for ticks. If you find a tick embedded in a pet or human, take care when removing it not to squeeze it. Use a pair of tweezers, grasping the tick near the mouth parts and gently pull the tick in a steady, upward motion. Be sure to clean the area with a disinfectant. Record the date and location of the bite and watch for early symptoms of Lyme disease, i.e. a red rash that occurs at the site of the bite and/or the center of the bite area may be clear with a rash extending outwards.

To avoid ticks:

• Clear leaf litter from under trees and keep the ground clean under bird feeders.

• Keep grass near playground equipment short.

• Install a wood chip or gravel barrier between lawns and wooded or tall grass areas.

• Minimize wood piles as these are attractive to smal1 mammals such as mice, which can carry ticks.

• Avoid tick habitat by staying on trails when in forest preserves and parks.

• Wear light-colored, protective clothing.

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET primarily to clothes.

• Walk in the center of trails so plants do not brush against you.

• Check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks.

• If your pets spend time outdoors, regularly check them for ticks too.

• Prompt removal of ticks helps to prevent infection.

In order to transmit disease, a deer tick must be attached to the skin for at least 24 hours. Symptoms of Lyme disease include "bull's eye" rash or lesions around the site of the bite (usually 7 to 14 days after the tick has consumed a blood meal), fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and/or joint aches. If you experience any of these symptoms seven days or more following a known tick bite, you should contact your physician.

For more information about ticks go to the Lake County Health Department's Web site.