Richland County, OH — Richland Public Health is issuing a reminder that if you head outdoors, especially if you are a hiker or hunter, it is important to remember to take preventive measures against ticks.
Although summer has ended, and normal tick season is April through September, Richland Public Health had two deer ticks brought in last week for identification.
Ticks are arachnids, relatives of spiders that live in wooded areas, brushy fields, along trails and around homes. They are also parasites that survive by feeding on the blood of animal hosts, including humans. Through their feeding, ticks can significantly impact the quality of life and health of humans and pets. Most importantly, some species of ticks may transmit diseases, which can result in mild to serious illness or death. Proper protection from ticks and prompt removal are crucial to preventing infection.
“People need to be particularly cautious and check for ticks on themselves and on their clothing when returning from being in brush or forested areas,” said Joe Harrod, Environmental Health Director at Richland Public Health. “People who have cats and dogs that go outside need to check their pets when they return inside the house.”
Richland Public Health offers the following advice:
- Avoid direct contact with ticks
- Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
- Walk in the center of trails.
- Repel ticks
- Use repellents that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing for protection that lasts up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding their hands, eyes and mouth.
- Use products that contain permethrin for clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and remains protective for up to 70 washings.
- Find and remove ticks from your body
- Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
- Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and especially in their hair.
- Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats and day packs.
- Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for an hour to kill remaining ticks.
For more information on ticks, including an identification chart, more information on tick removal, and removing ticks from your pets, see http://www.richlandhealth.org/personal-health/ticks.
