Spreading Lyme Disease Awareness

Happy May everyone and happy Lyme disease Awareness Month! Lyme Disease Awareness Month aims to educate people on the numbers, signs and symptoms of the disease. It’s also an opportunity to reiterate the importance of protecting yourself from the ticks that transmit this dangerous disease.

Lyme disease, named after the Connecticut town in which it was found, has been growing in numbers and affects more parts of the country than it did just 7-10 years ago. The Centers of Disease Control state that is it the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States and some estimates say that with the rate of illnesses going unreported to the CDC, that Lyme cases could be as high as 300,000 a year!

Blacklegged ticks carry the Lyme bacteria and transmit it to humans. They can be found in any area of the country where there is a large population of deer. Deer are the vehicles for ticks, carrying them from one location to another. Ticks are most active during May, June and July, but will be out whenever the temperatures are warm enough.

Not all blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease, so if you get a tick bite, it doesn’t mean that you definitely have Lyme. If you find a tick on you, promptly remove it and place it in a plastic bag in case it needs to be tested. Take any signs or symptoms of Lyme seriously and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. The earlier Lyme disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Being observant and being aware of ticks (and using tick control if necessary) is the best way to protect yourself from Lyme. Here are some tips:

• When walking or hiking outdoors, stay in the middle of paths and avoid tall grass
• Where long-sleeved shirts and pants. Light colors will make it easier for you to see any ticks that have landed on your clothing
• Wash clothing in hot water and use a high heat dryer to eliminate any ticks left on your clothing
• Do a full-body tick check after coming inside, making sure to look at those hard to see areas like behind the knees and in the armpits.

At Mosquito Squad, we help protect our clients from ticks and Lyme with our tick control for the yard. The Mosquito Squad tick control service is two-fold, utilizing our tick eliminating barrier treatment and strategically placed tick tubes.

If you have questions on any mosquito and tick services, please contact your local Mosquito Squad office.