Tick-borne diseases are on the rise this summer in Ohio, and state officials are urging Ohioans to use caution.Ticks are found throughout the state, and sometimes carry potentially dangerous diseases.Ohio has three medically important species of ticks: the American dog tick, blacklegged tick and lone star tick. All three of these species have the potential to carry and transmit diseases to humans and pets. The American dog tick is the most common tick in Ohio and is found in grassy areas. This tick is most active during the summer months and is the primary transmitter of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “Ticks have the ability to transmit diseases to humans in 36 to 48 hours after the initial bite,” said Ohio Wildlife Council President and retired veterinarian Dr. Paul Mechling. “Urban and suburban development as well as outdoor recreation allows the spread of these diseases as people come in close contacts with mice, white-tailed deer, and other hosts for ticks. Pets in an outdoor setting should have tick control.”Blacklegged tick populations have increased in Ohio since 2010, particularly in areas with a forested habitat, ODNR officials say. This species can carry Lyme disease and is active throughout the year, including during the winter. Also known as the deer tick, blacklegged ticks are frequently found on white-tailed deer. The lone star tick is found mostly in southern Ohio and can transmit several diseases. It is found in shaded, grassy areas and is active during the warmer months of the year.“Ohioans are at greatest risk for contracting tick-borne disease from June through August, but Lyme disease is possible year-round,” says Dr. Glen Needham, Associate Professor Emeritus of Entomology at The Ohio State University. “Wear proper clothing and use repellent to help prevent tick attachment.”Outer clothing should be sprayed with permethrin-based repellent according to the label directions, state officials said. Pants should be tucked into socks or boots and shirts into pants to keep ticks on the outside of the clothing. Wear light-colored clothing which will make spotting ticks easier, officials suggest, and thoroughly check clothes and skin for any attached ticks. Don’t forget to check pets and gear, too.Attached ticks should be removed as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases. To remove a tick, use tweezers or gloved hands. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Do not use petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, alcohol, cigarettes, matches, or other similar methods to try to kill or stimulate the tick to back out. These methods do not work, delay proper removal, and may be dangerous.For more information, click here.
Tick-borne diseases are on the rise this summer in Ohio, and state officials are urging Ohioans to use caution.
Ticks are found throughout the state, and sometimes carry potentially dangerous diseases.
Ohio has three medically important species of ticks: the American dog tick, blacklegged tick and lone star tick. All three of these species have the potential to carry and transmit diseases to humans and pets.
The American dog tick is the most common tick in Ohio and is found in grassy areas. This tick is most active during the summer months and is the primary transmitter of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“Ticks have the ability to transmit diseases to humans in 36 to 48 hours after the initial bite,” said Ohio Wildlife Council President and retired veterinarian Dr. Paul Mechling. “Urban and suburban development as well as outdoor recreation allows the spread of these diseases as people come in close contacts with mice, white-tailed deer, and other hosts for ticks. Pets in an outdoor setting should have tick control.”
Blacklegged tick populations have increased in Ohio since 2010, particularly in areas with a forested habitat, ODNR officials say. This species can carry Lyme disease and is active throughout the year, including during the winter. Also known as the deer tick, blacklegged ticks are frequently found on white-tailed deer.
The lone star tick is found mostly in southern Ohio and can transmit several diseases. It is found in shaded, grassy areas and is active during the warmer months of the year.
“Ohioans are at greatest risk for contracting tick-borne disease from June through August, but Lyme disease is possible year-round,” says Dr. Glen Needham, Associate Professor Emeritus of Entomology at The Ohio State University. “Wear proper clothing and use repellent to help prevent tick attachment.”
Outer clothing should be sprayed with permethrin-based repellent according to the label directions, state officials said. Pants should be tucked into socks or boots and shirts into pants to keep ticks on the outside of the clothing.
Wear light-colored clothing which will make spotting ticks easier, officials suggest, and thoroughly check clothes and skin for any attached ticks. Don’t forget to check pets and gear, too.
Attached ticks should be removed as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases. To remove a tick, use tweezers or gloved hands. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure.
Do not use petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, alcohol, cigarettes, matches, or other similar methods to try to kill or stimulate the tick to back out. These methods do not work, delay proper removal, and may be dangerous.
For more information, click here.
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