While summer is always a welcome season here in Virginia, there are a few downfalls that come with the warm weather.
One of them is the ultimate pest: the tick. While small and seemingly harmless, these insects can carry a variety of diseases that could be harmful. And unfortunately, officials believe that so much rainfall this past year could result in even more tick sightings this season. On the bright side, there are ways to lookout for these insects and make sure you remain tick-free and happy this season.
Tick season has already begun here in Virginia. Due to an usually wet winter, the ticks were inspired to crawl out of their hiding places even earlier than usual.
This excessive moisture has brought about lush grass and greenery growth and, along with it, ideal conditions for tick populations to soar.
In addition to being an annoyance, ticks can also be quite harmful when they carry infectious diseases. One of the most common is Lyme disease, but others such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever exist as well.
Ticks are often lurking in tall grasses, singling out well-worn paths to wait for their host, which could be a human or animal. High deer populations in Virginia have resulted in the surge of deer ticks.
Ticks can also attach themselves to pets, who may carry the bugs inside. Be sure to guard your pets against ticks and check for them when your pet comes inside.
The most important takeaway from the rise in tick populations is to learn about bite preventions. Learning habits like tick checks while outdoors and always showering after you've spent time in the woods or in the grass can go a long way in prevention.
For more helpful information about how to avoid tick bites and what to look out for, be sure to check out this field guide put together by FairfaxCounty.org. You can also refer to the CDC's Frequently Asked Questions page to educate yourself further about Lyme Disease.
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