The Mosquito and Tick 'Explosion' is Happening NOW in CNY

Spring is here, and so are the bugs. Unfortunately, disease-carrying ticks and mosquitos this season will be severe.

The late spring has brought on an onslaught of ticks and mosquitos to CNY.

The snow melting and leaving behind standing water which is the perfect environment for those pesky mosquitos. Kare11 says the start of the mosquito explosion will be bad.

CNY Central says the mosquito-borne diseases that we need to worry about are Triple E (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) and West Nile. The Health Department encourages focusing on prevention: use insect spray with DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, clean up standing water (mosquito breeding areas) in tires and on property, and make sure your screens are not torn.

Cindy McMullen/TSM

Deer ticks are out and actively looking for hosts. Remember to tuck your pants into your socks while in the woods or high grass, and always check yourself and pets for ticks and nymphs whenever you leave a wooded area. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, and CNY Central says if you find one then remove it by pulling it out with tweezers, including the head. You should then put it in a plastic bag, and freeze it for later testing. AND get in touch with your doctor or a healthcare provider right away. While antibiotics are available, you must watch for a bullseye-shaped rash around where the tick was, it's a definite for Lyme. It's also important to keep up preventive treatment for dogs, year-round.

CBS News reports the CDC is calling Lyme Disease an epidemic as it's tripled in the USA in the past 2 decades. 95% of Lyme disease cases came from 14 states including New York, and the ticks that carry the disease are spreading rapidly.

[Information from Kare 11 and CNY Central]