As warmer weather continues to present itself during the summer months, ticks will continue to present themselves in more places than just wooded areas. With this in mind, state officials held a news conference this afternoon to discuss the amount and types of ticks found in Pennsylvania as well as how residents can prevent tick bites.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick McDonnell said that 5,000 adult black-legged ticks were discovered across Pennsylvania through a survey conducted in the spring, and 58 percent of those carried Lyme Disease. He adds that there are other types of ticks out there and that the DEP is continuing to study them.
Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said the best ways to prevent ticks is to cover unexposed areas of skin with light-colored clothing, avoid areas where ticks are prevalent, such as tall, grassy areas, and use an EPA-approved insect or tick repellant.
Johnson also reminds residents to check themselves, family members and/or pets for ticks after being outside.
More tips on tick interaction and prevention can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website. We have a link to that here.
