May is Tick Awareness Week
May 8—CHARLESTON — It is peak tick season, and with warmer temperatures on the upswing, so are tick populations across the United States.
These tiny insects are more than a nuisance; ticks are dangerous pests that can transmit disease-causing pathogens at alarming rates. It's no surprise that 1 in 4 Americans, or 25%, are concerned about tick bites and tick-borne diseases, according to a recent NPMA survey conducted by The Harris Poll.
"With people heading outdoors this season, it is important to be vigilant as tick-borne pathogens can be transmitted into a person's bloodstream in as little as 36 hours after the initial bite," said Dr. Jim Fredericks, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).
As such, NPMA is raising awareness about ticks and the threats they present to humans and pets during Tick Awareness Week, May 5 — 11.
This May is also Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a time to educate consumers about the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S., which nearly half a million Americans are diagnosed and treated for each year.
To increase consumer awareness, NPMA is sharing the following prevention tips for this tick season: — When outdoors, use bug spray containing at least 20% DEET and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light in color, so ticks are easier to detect. — Keep grass cut low, including around fences, sheds and trees to prevent ticks from hiding in the greenery. — Before heading indoors, inspect your entire body, clothing, family and pets for ticks. — Clear overgrown vegetation, especially around the border of your property, to eliminate potential tick habitats. — If you suspect a tick infestation on your property, contact a pest control professional.
immediately.
"Encounters with ticks are increasingly frequent nationwide, underscoring the importance of understanding how to safeguard yourself, your family, pets, and property from this troublesome pest," Fredericks said.
Fortunately, NPMA's survey revealed that nearly half of Americans (46%) are aware that ticks can spread different diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, to humans through their bites. However, only 26% of Americans follow prevention techniques when entering tick-infested areas.
For more information on ticks, visit TickTalk.org and PestWorld.org. the CDC.
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
