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Black-footed tick | Wikimedia commons
Spring has arrived in Humboldt and summer is fast approaching. While the sun makes the adventure in nature more appealing, it is important to remember that warm weather also marks the beginning of the tick season.
The Arcata City Environmental Department offers the following tips for protection from these potentially Lyme disease-prone creatures:
Ticks are tiny, spider-like insects that attach to the skin of people and animals. While many
ticks are not harmful, some can transmit diseases. A single tick found locally can transmit the bacteria
which causes Lyme disease – the black-legged tick.Avoiding tick bites is the easiest way to avoid tick-borne diseases. The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommends the following precautions to prevent tick bites:
Avoid thick wooded areas with tall grass and dead leaves.
When hiking, be sure to stay on clear paths and designated trails.
Wear protective clothing when you are outdoors, preferably a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt and pants.
Always check that there are no ticks on your body and clothing after your return from the outdoors.
Check your animals' ticks regularly, especially after passing them outdoors.
Keep in mind that young ticks are very small (about the size of a poppy seed). When looking for ticks, ask the help of a friend or family member to inspect hard-to-reach areas.
Make sure you check very carefully for ticks on areas of the body where hair is present.
Talk with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention methods available for your pets.
If you find a tick on yourself or a pet, follow these steps:
Use fine-tipped forceps to catch the tick as close as possible to the surface of the skin. shoot
on the rise with constant and uniform pressure. Do not jerk or twist the tick. Make sure all the ticks have
been removed, including the head.Once the tick is removed, clean the area and your hands with soap and water.
If you develop symptoms of tick-borne illness, such as fever, chills, rash on the site of the tick bite,
or unusual ailments up to 30 days after a tick bite, consult your doctor
immediately and let them know that you have been bitten by a tick.For more information on ticks and other tick-borne diseases, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html.
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