Ticks Remain A Concern Even As Temperatures Cool Down

You may think you only need to worry about ticks during the spring and summer months. However, experts report that is not the case.

From a report by Western Mass News, people tend to let their guard down in regards to ticks as the seasons change and temperatures cool, but entomologists say that ticks are pretty much a year-round concern.

Ticks actually thrive in 40 to 50 degree temperatures. They become dormant in the winter, but that's not the same as hibernation.

Ticks simply slow down. Milder winters and rising temperatures have been linked to a rise in recent tick populations, but not in the way you might think.

Warmer winters mean an increase in ground rodents like chipmunks, which leads to more dispersion of these ticks in the spring. It also means an increase in the types of diseases ticks carry and spread.

Experts are now seeing diseases like anaplasmosis and Powasson in addition to Lyme disease.

Experts warn to keep in the center of trails, away from trees and vegetation where ticks may be waiting to latch onto a host.

Ticks can't jump or fly, which is why areas such as transitional zones or wood piles pose a larger threat. Ticks wait along the edges with their arms out in search of their next blood meal.

Other ways to protect yourself include covering up areas of skin that are exposed and spraying permethrin on your clothing.

Another good thing to always keep in mind is to wear clothing that is lighter in color. That makes it easier to spot ticks before they latch on to you.

Check out the story at Western Mass News' website here for more. We thank them for the update.