While we are thrilled that winter went by quickly and temperatures are warming up in Rhode Island, you'll need to be vigilant as you begin to embark on your outdoor adventures. We are expected to have a surge of ticks in 2019 throughout Southern New England and that means you'll need to take some extra precautions this year.
We were lucky to have a pretty short winter in Rhode Island but that lack of snow on the ground means that tick season is going to be longer than ever.
Ticks thrive in an environment that is wet and mild. Our above average temperatures this winter and the amount of rain has increased the tick survival rate.
This doesn't mean you should lock your doors and stay inside! You can still explore the outdoors as long as you take certain precautions.
Try to stick to the center of the trails when you go for a hike. Also, avoid going into areas with tall grasses and use an EPA registered insect repellent.
When you come inside, make sure you check for ticks on your clothing, pets, backpacks, and body. Try to shower within two hours after coming inside to wash away unattached ticks.
About 25 percent of ticks are infected with the Lyme Disease germ so it's important to be diligent. If you do find a tick, you can take a picture of it and upload it on the University of Rhode Island TickSpotters website and they will help you identify it.
For more information on tick bite prevention, visit the University of Rhode Island Tick Encounter Resource Center.
Now that you know the ins and outs of the 2019 tick season, here are some fantastic places to visit this spring in Rhode Island.
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