As soon as the critters start moving, generally we start heading outside. It is that time of year, technically spring is here. We all feel the shift in seasons and the urge to connect with nature. Honor that urge and take good care to protect yourself from ticks and other biting insects. Why? Tick bites in this day and age can be much more than an annoyance. You see titles of talks like ”One bite can change your life” and alarms go off. They should.
No one is saying don’t enjoy the outdoors at all. Time in nature is essential for me. But the environment is not designed to support our health. Bugs flourish and we are their food. Just like we need to be mindful about the food we eat, we need to plug in to protect ourselves from tick bites and other dangerous parts of the environment.
Tick bites can happen in unexpected places
Ticks can come into contact with you in unexpected ways and places. Here is an example. My husband and I went into Somerville, MA for an event in early summer a couple of years ago. Part of the day included a weed walk, where an expert walks you down the street and points out all the wonderful plants that are growing in the city. My husband decided to go.
I went to a different indoor talk. On the ride home, I asked my hubby about the weed walk. I said did you walk on the grass or just on the sidewalk? He said oh we cut across the grass a couple of times and I lay done once for a close up picture.
When we got home I suggested he put his clothes in the dryer and that I do a tick check. He sort of demurred, you don’t need to. I kind of insisted, but just to be safe. I really didn’t think I would find anything.
But low and behold, I found 2 ticks on him from an hour walk in the city. They hadn’t attached so we disposed of them and moved on. Both of us were surprised by this and started to learn more about how ticks operate. Here is some basic information.
Understand the facts and use them to protect yourself.
Tick ABC’s
- Adult Ticks are a natural part of the outdoors year round. NOT JUST SUMMER
- Ticks live in grasslands, forest, farms, country and city.
- The nymph population (hungry little ones that are hard to find) peeks in spring thru fall.
- Ticks crawl, they don’t fly.
- They feed on birds and deer, but also all small wild mammals, chipmunks squirrels, moles, voles, raccoons, more critters than I can list.
- Tick size varies from the size of a pencil top to the size of a pin point depending on variety and stage of life. A pinpoint is difficult to detect on the skin.
- Insects can potentially transmit Lyme disease other infections and parasites when they attach.
- Ticks are tough. Squishing them may not kill them. Flush ticks or save securely for testing.
- Do not dispose of a tick in the trash. .It may crawl out and infect you or someone else.
For more information on protecting yourself click this link.
Tick bites are preventable take good care!
The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.