Ticks: The Bloodsuckers Increasingly Common and How to Protect Yourself

Ticks, the parasitic bloodsuckers capable of spreading deadly diseases, are becoming increasingly common. With more than 800 species of ticks found around the world, 84 in the United States, it’s important to be informed about these arachnids and the dangers they pose. Ticks go through three life stages: larva, nymph, and adult, with only female ticks becoming engorged with blood. Different species of ticks carry different diseases, so it’s crucial to identify the tick that bit you. The diseases carried by ticks can be debilitating or even life-threatening, and the risk of infection increases the longer a tick is attached. To avoid getting bitten, use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. It’s also recommended to cover your skin and tuck your pants into your socks when hiking in tick-prone areas. After coming indoors, throw your clothes in the dryer for 30 minutes to kill any ticks before washing them. Wearing treated clothes with permethrin is also highly effective. Depending on where you live, it may be necessary to exterminate ticks in your yard. While ticks can pose a public health concern, it’s still possible to enjoy nature by taking precautions and performing regular tick checks.