CDC Reports Increase in Hospital Visits for Tick Bites

The CDC is reporting that emergency room visits for tick bites are at their highest levels for this time of the year since 2017. That is not the only bad news for our area. Warmer temperatures and expanding tick habitats are most likely the reason that our area (the Northeast) is seeing some of the highest rates nationwide. Tick bite prevention needs to be a top priority when you go outside. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe.

Whenever possible wear light colored clothing when spending time outdoors, especially in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas where ticks are common. Ticks are easier to spot against lighter fabrics.  Although New Jersey can get very hot in the summer, wearing long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes is a good form of defense. These clothes create a barrier that makes it harder for ticks to reach your skin. While certainly not fashionable, tucking pants into socks can also help. Using permethrin-treated clothing can provide additional protection from tick bites while you are outside.

Ticks are abundant throughout our state from wooded areas to our backyards. While you are in wooded areas there are special precautions you can take. Stay aware of your surroundings; whenever possible, walk in the center of trails and avoid brushing against tall grass or dense vegetation. Tall grass and dense vegetation are where ticks often wait for a host. Pet owners should regularly check animals for ticks as well, since pets can carry ticks indoors and increase the chance of human exposure.

When you come inside, it is important to perform a careful tick check to help prevent a bite. A handy tip is to use a lint roller all over your body. If the tick is on you, but not already biting you, the lint roller should pick it up. Ticks often attach in warm, hidden areas, so take extra time looking behind your knees, under your arms, around your waist, and in your hair. If possible, shower soon after coming indoors. Ticks that are on your body but unattached may get washed off due to the water pressure. Your clothing should be washed in hot water or dried on high heat in case any ticks remain on your clothing. If you do find a tick that is attached, prompt removal with fine-tipped tweezers can greatly reduce the risk of diseases.

These tips are important, but practically speaking, the chance of you following every step every time you or your family goes into your yard is unlikely. There are some measures you can take to keep your yard safer. Keeping lawns trimmed and removing leaf litter is beneficial, but the best way to keep ticks away is working with us on a Mosquito & Tick Reduction Program. Although it is best to start monthly treatments in April, you still have options available to you now.