Watch for Ticks in the Spring

With the warmer weather many people are beginning to spend more time outside. After the cold winter, it is wonderful to get to spend time outside, but with the additional time outside, there is the increased chance of being bitten by a pest. Ticks are especially common in the spring. The ticks that bite in the spring are called seed ticks because they are much smaller than normal ticks. Here are some answers to questions about seed ticks as well as information to help you protect yourself.

What Are Seed Ticks?

Seed ticks are tick larvae. They are smaller than adult ticks and can be more difficult to spot. Ticks at this stage only have six legs instead of eight legs. They can be easier to mistake for a mole or a freckle, so it is important to complete a careful inspection in bright light. Seed ticks can spread illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It is not uncommon to have multiple seed ticks attach themselves to you at the same time since they do not travel very quickly or very far at this stage.

Common Areas to Pick Up Ticks

Ticks like to climb onto bushes, grass or other objects that you may brush against. When you do, they will crawl onto you and begin to look for a place to attach. Heavily wooded areas with a lot of wood cover will have ticks. However, meadows with long grass or areas that are heavily overgrown are also very prone to ticks. If you are camping or hiking in the spring, you may be at an increased risk if you spend time in area with long grass.

Prevent Ticks

There are some steps that you can take to prevent ticks. The first is to apply insect repellent that has DEET in it. This is the most effective insect repellent for ticks. Wearing long sleeves and pants can also help prevent ticks. If you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, you can treat your yard for ticks. A tick control professional can apply a barrier spray that will kill adult ticks in your yard and prevent new ones from coming in.

Removing Ticks and Following Up

It is important to check for ticks regularly, and as soon as you come home from a tick prone area. Be sure to check under your arms, between your legs and along your hairline for ticks. If you find a tick you will need to remove it with tweezers by pulling back without twisting. You cannot leave a tick head embedded in your skin because it can cause a serious infection. After you remove a tick, you should watch for signs of tick-borne illnesses. Most start with a fever and aches and pains. Symptoms can start between three to thirty days after you are bitten. Most illnesses from ticks need to be treated with antibiotics, so you should visit your doctor and tell her that you were bitten by a tick.