Ticks

Image showing three different types of ticks
(Note: These images are enlarged to show detail - Ticks are very small ranging in size of a poppy seed to a watermelon seed)
(Black-legged Tick - AKA Deer Tick)
The image above shows three different tick species known to be present in the State of Massachusetts.
Ticks can carry tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme Disease, which can make you sick.
(For clinical/medical information on Lyme Disease (i.e. Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, Post Treatment, etc. visit CDC)

You can help decrease your risk of getting ticks on you by following these prevention tips:
*Sticking to main pathways and the center of trails when hiking.
*Wearing light colored long-sleeved shirt tucked into light colored long pants that are tucked into your socks.
*Using a tick repellent. Already using a mosquito repellent? The repellent your using to prevent mosquito bites may also be used to prevent tick bites. Learn more about tick repellents.
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True or False

1. I don't go walking in the woods, I don't have to worry about tick bites.
FALSE - Ticks can be in your own backyard. Learn how to make your yard less inviting to ticks in the video below.
Also check out CDC's recommendations (additional recommendations and a more detailed explanation)
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Ticks are tiny

Ticks can range in size - from the Size of a poppy seed (deer tick nymph) to a watermelon seed (adult dog tick)

CHECK THIS PHOTO OUT!
SEE...THEY ARE TINY!!! (Adult Blacklegged Tick shown below)

(Photo source: CDC)

It is important to CHECK yourself, your kids/loved ones AND your pets, DAILY for ticks.

Although ticks could be anywhere on the body, they often like the following areas the most, so it's important to pay close attention to these areas:
*Inside and behind the ears

*Along the hairline

*Back of your neck

*Armpit

*Groin

*Legs

*Behind your knees

*Between your toes

(Click the image for a printable pdf...spread the word and educate others on the importance of a daily tick check and how to do it)
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True or False

1. Ticks can jump!
FALSE: Ticks are patient waiters. A tick will keep themselves attached to a leaf or blade of grass using their hind appendages and then out-stretch their front appendages and wait for someone/something (host) to "brush" up against them. The tick will then attach themselves to that host where they can freely climb until they find a place to bite and feed.
Tick clinging to a blade of grass
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Removing a tick

How to safely remove a tick

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 or soap and water.
4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.
5. If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick.
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