New Jersey has had a very mild winter, so it's no surprise that the state is expecting a major tick surge this spring. But it's not just the spring! With warmer temperatures and a lack of snow, ticks did not die off in the winter. Though that's not exactly breaking news, there are some things you should know.
Ticks are a type of arachnid. External parasites, they live off the blood of mammals, birds, and even reptiles and amphibians. They most likely originated in the Cretaceous period and have been found in fossils dating back millions of years. A tick fossilized in amber is pictured.
There are four main species of ticks in New Jersey - the Asian Longhorned Tick, the Deer Tick (or Blacklegged Tick), the Lonestar Tick, and The American Dog Tick.
Though ticks may be tiny (typically under 5 mm), they can be very dangerous. Ticks in the Garden State transmit diseases including Lyme, STARI (similar to Lyme), Alpha-Gal Syndrome (which can cause a red meat allergy), and others.
Ticks are most prevalent between March and September but survive throughout the year. They are primarily found in moist, shady areas and can be spotted in forests, parks, and even backyards. Avoid wooded areas and high grass or take precautions.
To prevent the spread of tick-borne diseases, stay on hiking trails, wear tick repellent, spray permethrin-containing products on outer clothing, including shoes, wear light colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants, wash clothes with hot water as soon as possible, shower after returning from the outdoors, and perform tick checks. Be sure to check hidden areas including the scalp and behind the ears. Use mirrors if necessary.
While it's wonderful spending time outdoors, don't take ticks lightly. Diseases like Lyme can be debilitating or deadly in severe cases. And if you think they're not out in the winter, 90,000 ticks were found on a single moose during the winter in Vermont. It's also important to protect pets. While several flea and tick medications are believed to have caused life-threatening seizures, preventative measures should be taken. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action. For information on tick bites and tick removal (in humans) visit the CDC website.
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