Amanda Porter and Joselina Joyner
26 minutes ago
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – Tick season has begun across the United States, and experts say it's important to be vigilant this year.
As spring temperatures begin to warm (usually above 45 degrees), you may want to think about how to protect yourself and your pets from ticks in grassy, leafy, and wooded areas. Sho. As outdoor activities increase, exposure to ticks also increases. Ticks are on the prowl, trying to get onto you or your pet.
“Adults crawl up to the edge of the grass and do something called 'exploration,' where they stick their legs in the air and wait for you to come. And the moment you comb their legs, it's permanent. ,” said William Miller, an assistant professor of biology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ticks are most active from April through September when temperatures are warm.
Miller said tick populations have increased along the Lake Michigan shoreline in West Michigan, for example, over the past 20 years.
“You can come into contact with ticks wherever you are, whether it's Kent County or Ottawa County,” Miller said.
There are ways to protect yourself.
“I tuck my pants into my socks to create a tick-proof gasket around my ankles, and then tuck my pants into my beltline,” Miller said.
The use of chemical repellents is also recommended.
“EPA-approved tick repellent. So something like DEET can be used every time you're out in the woods,” Miller said.
Ticks like certain areas where they can get under clothing, such as the ankles, armpits, groin and waistline, Miller said. And of course, they also love pets.
“Be sure to check on your companions, because it's not only good for your pet's health, but your health as well,” he said. “One of the ways dust mites enter your home is through the environment your furry friends find themselves in.”
The CDC says dogs are “highly susceptible” to tick bites and related illnesses, but other pets can also be affected.
“Tick bites in dogs can be difficult to detect,” the CDC says. “Signs of tick-borne disease may not appear until 7 to 21 days or more after a tick bite. So if you think your pet has been bitten by a tick, pay close attention to any changes in your dog's behavior or appetite. Please observe.”
The longer a tick remains on a host, the more likely Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks carrying the Borrelia bacteria, increases, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms in humans include fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rash, while pets may experience fever, loss of appetite, swollen joints, and decreased activity.
Check yourself and your pets for ticks every time you return home from being outdoors.
“You can actually throw the clothes in the dryer and let it heat up for 10 minutes. That's enough to knock them off and kill them,” Miller said.
To educate people and identify ticks, an associate professor at Michigan State University created The Tick App, where users can submit photos of ticks.
