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 With winter squarely behind us, the urge to kick off our shoes and run through a grassy field is greater than ever but beware the tick. Two things to consider are that prime tick season in much of upstate NY runs right through mid-August.

The deer population in many parts of upstate New York remains very high.A larger deer populations increases the chance of transmitting Lime disease through infected deer ticks. I had two close encounters with deer crossing the road just yesterday in Sullivan County. I also got bitten by a tick yesterday while walking through the Black Forest Colony in Glen Spey.

Tick & Lime Disease Facts:

• Not all deer ticks carry lime disease, only those feeding off of infected deer

• In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 hours or more before the bacteria can be transmitted

• Symptoms usually appear within 3 to 30 days after the bite from an infected tick.

• Symptoms include a rash resembling a bull’s eye or solid patch, about two inches in diameter, appears near the site of the bite.

• Other symptoms may include chills and fever, headache, fatigue, stiff neck, muscle and/or joint pain, and swollen glands.

• If rash or flu-like symptoms appear contact your health care provider immediately.

• How to Properly Remove a Tick
  

Tips for Reducing the Risk of  Tick Bites & Lime Disease:

• Wear light-colored clothing for easy tick detection.  Long-sleeve shirts & long pants, tucking pants into socks and shirt into pants.

• Check for ticks on clothing or skin after every 2-3 of outdoor activity, brushing off any ticks on clothing before they have a chance to attach to the skin.

• At the end the the day, thoroughly check all body surfaces (or have a friend do it:) for any attached ticks.

• Repellants containing the active ingredient Deet, can be affective in preventing tick bites but care must be used when applying these products. Follow all directions.

Yes the risk is  real but with proper preparation, we can protect ourselves to minimize that risk.