It is that time of the year when you finally shed your winter clothing, admire the tiny green shoots in your neighborhood, and step out with a spring in your step. But there is one potential risk that you, your children and your pets may be exposed to, from spring through fall. As soon as the weather starts to warm up, the tiny, blood-sucking ticks make an annual comeback. Once the temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, these black-legged parasites go into hiding under leaves and debris, and most species remain dormant till the end of winter.
This year, Pennsylvania and its outskirts have seen a massive explosion of acorns, which also indicates a particularly big tick infestation throughout the season. Tick bites are a health hazard and can cause transmission of infectious diseases such as Lyme and Babesiosis amongst humans as well as pets.
One of the first things to keep these parasites away is to install a strong barrier that prevents tick-bearing deer from entering your property. Professional companies that specialize in fencing solutions will be able to customize the deer fence based on your requirements and budget. Read up some of the other …show more content…
Avoid Wooded Areas or Take Precautions: As far as possible avoid densely wooded areas, and walk on the cleared pathways. If you plan to go hiking or camping, wear light-colored clothes, tuck your pants into your socks, use hats and caps, and expose as little of your bare skin as possible. Use repellents that have 20% or more DEET, and spray generously on the exposed skin, as well as your clothing. Don’t forget to do a thorough full body tick check for yourself, your kids and your pets at the end of the trip. Ticks tend to bury themselves in hard-to-spot areas such as the hairline, armpits and near the groin, so don’t take this check