Ticks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2009

If you walk in weedy overgrown cover, chances are you will find a tick. One usually finds ticks either crawling or attached somewhere on their body. Here in southern Illinois, the fear is that they may infect you with Lyme disease.

If a tick is found attached, one should remove it carefully. The tick might be saved in rubbing alcohol. Also write down the day the tick was removed and any other information in case of problems. Should a rash or other symptoms of Lyme disease appear you could share information with your doctor.

Ticks are not insects. Insects have 6 legs and adult ticks have 8. These small parasites are blood sucking and are transported by their host.

Ticks can move quickly for their size but they do not jump on their host. They do occasionally fall from trees to land on a host.

If you plan on being outdoors, treat yourself with a product containing DEET. If pesticides are not on your list then common duck tape wrapped around your pant legs with the sticky side out will detour some from crawling up your pant legs.

Treat tall grassy areas or places pets lie with a permethrin spray.

It is very difficult to prevent tick bites if you hike or work outdoors. But a thorough check of one's body should always follow an outdoor adventure. Monitor the tick bite for a rash and if needed consult your doctor.