What’s Biting in Central New York – TICKS

We had a mild winter in Central New York.  And while most people would agree that's a good thing, it's a bad thing when it comes to ticks.  Apparently the lack of a good long freeze means the ticks are around more than ever.  And they're biting.

We found three ticks on our kids in one week.  The fact is they've been outside playing in the yard every chance they get.  And it seems like these nasty buggers are everywhere this year.  So make sure you're prepared for a tick check every time your kids (or pets) come back inside.

According to the CDC, you can repel ticks with DEET or Permethrin.  DEET should be used on any exposed skin or clothing, and lasts for several hours.  Be careful when spraying DEET on children, paying special attention to keep it away from their hands, mouth and eyes.  You can use permethrin to treat your clothing, boots and tents, and it stays effective through several washings.

A tick check should happen soon after your kids come back inside.  Places you should look include under arms, in and around ears, belly button, behind knees, between the legs and in the hair.

Removing a tick can be tricky, and you need to follow a few important steps:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
4. Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.  (via CDC.gov)

Tick bites can be painful, and the pain and swelling may last a few days.  They can also lead to serious diseases, including Lyme Disease.  Some symptoms are fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rash.  Call your doctor or go to an emergency room immediately if you think this may be the case.

You can't live in a bubble, and you can't keep your kids locked up inside all the time.  Just be vigilant and hopefully the ticks won't be taking a bite out of your summer.

Enjoy nature in Central New York from indoors, where you're safe from insects and weather.