Tick Wars
How to Win the Battle Against Tick-borne Illnesses!
Ticks may be small, but they can pose a big threat to our health. In recent years, tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease have become the fastest-growing infectious disease concerns in the US. It's crucial to understand the dangers associated with ticks and take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from tick-borne illnesses.
What Are Ticks?
Ticks are not insects, but rather arthropods, and more specifically, acarines. They are closely related to spiders and mites. What sets ticks apart is their need for blood to survive – blood is all they feed on. Most ticks stay attached to their host for days to a week to complete feeding, which is longer than other blood feeders like mosquitoes. As ticks feed on blood, they also transmit disease-causing germs to their host.
Tick-borne Diseases / Illness / Infections
Different species of ticks are associated with specific disease-causing pathogens. The most well-known tick-borne disease is Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. Other tick-borne diseases include Babesiosis caused by the Babesia protoza, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Encephalitis-causing viruses, and Bartonella bacteria. As the tick population continues to grow and expand, scientists are finding a growing list of disease-causing microbes transmitted by ticks.
Prevention and Protection
Prevention is key when it comes to tick-borne illnesses. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Wear protective clothing when spending time outdoors, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks.
- Use insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET.
- Perform a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors, paying close attention to the scalp, armpits, and groin area.
- Remove ticks promptly and properly using our tick tweezers
- Keep your pets tick-free with regular grooming and tick preventative medication.