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New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Up-tick? Long Island seeing more of the blood-suckers this year
Long Islanders better brace for a bloodthirsty summer. Populations of several tick species across both Nassau and Suffolk counties have exploded since the fall, experts told The Post. 'I have friends working in the state and county parks, and the talk is, 'Oh, my God, it's so bad this year!'' said Janine Bendicksen, director of wildlife rehabilitation at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. Bendicksen said Sweetbriar has taken in more goslings this spring than in previous years, with groups of 10 to 20 coming in at a clip. 4 Tick populations appear to be booming on Long Island. Oleksandr – 'They were lethargic. Their feet were curling up, and they'd flip over, because they were dying,' she explained. 'All of a sudden, we saw all of these tiny black ticks coming off of them.' Sweetbriar's team realized the baby birds were anemic from the bloodsuckers. 'Goslings and ducklings never have ticks on them, because ticks tend to go for mammals,' Bendicksen said. 'That is an indication that, 'Uh-oh, it's gonna be a bad season.'' The Lone Star, American Dog, and blacklegged tick — which can transmit a bevy of illnesses such as Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms — have all been on the rise across Long Island, experts said. They can also spread potentially-fatal bacterial infections such as ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, along with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Powassan virus. 4 Deers are among the many animals that help spread ticks on Long Island. Dan – Several factors account for the population explosion, including weather and host animal abundance. Long Island had a rather mild winter, which can increase tick activity, said Dr. Scott Campbell, Suffolk County's entomologist. A wet spring also tend to bring out more ticks. 'There's a lot of moving parts,' said Campbell. 'There's no silver bullet, but multiple factors are playing a role.' Rodent populations are also on the rise — potentially caused by a dip in the number of predators that feed on them including owls and snakes — helping boost tick numbers. In Suffolk, there were 3,299 reported cases of Lyme disease in 2023 — up from 2,668 the year before. Only 697 cases were reported in Nassau County in 2023, while data from the prior year was not immediately available. Over 21,000 Lyme disease cases were reported statewide in 2023. 4 Ticks carry a multitude of infectious diseases. meepoohyaphoto – And more than 89,000 U.S. cases were reported across the US in 2023, the CDC reported. Ulises Galdamez, 36, owner of Long Island Tick Sprays in Hampton Bays, told The Post this is the first season since launching his business in 2016 that his phone started ringing in early March. 'Normally, April is when we get people reaching out to us,' he explained. 'This year's going to be bad, because we've definitely had more people calling us this year than any other year before. We've been going nonstop — it's shaping up to be our busiest season so far.' 4 Ticks love tall grass, and wind can carry them towards sunbathers. Joe Trentacosti – Bendicksen suggested wearing 'socks on the outside of your pants' to keep the critters off exposed skin. Keeping rodents and larger mammals away with fences and other measures is also important she said. And keep a lint roller handy — they're excellent for removing ticks, she added.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Maryland veterinarians explain how tick season can be harmful for people and pets
Did you know that ticks can cause lifelong health issues for you and your pet? According to experts, we are approaching the peak of tick season, and doctors are already seeing more pets and people who have been bitten. Ticks latch onto pets Dr. Megan Dirito said that she found more than 70 ticks on her dog, Louis. who was already on tick prevention medication. She said she immediately gave him multiple baths to get them off. "He just went into a little grassy area, and we came back inside, and looking at him, he had tiny, tiny, little nymph ticks all over him. They were around his eyes," said Dr. Dirito, a veterinarian at Falls Road Animal Hospital. "They were in his fur on his face." Dr. Dirito says ticks can create health problems for people and pets year-round. "In veterinary medicine, we see a lot of ticks, and a lot of people think like ticks are just tiny, tiny little critters, which they are, but they have a huge impact," said Dr. Dirito. "A tick on a pet for two hours can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Lyme disease is a little bit longer. It's about 36 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease." "I look at my dog every day, and still ticks show up, and you have to stay very, very tuned in," added Dr. Kim Hammond, a veterinarian at Falls Road Animal Hospital. "But the ticks live in the eaves of buildings and compost piles, they're out there." Allergic reaction to meat Candace Mathis and Debbie Nichols are the co-founders of the Alpha Gal Foundation, a group they started after learning a bite from the Lone Star tick caused them to develop a serious allergy. "So we started to hear more about this tick-borne disease," said Mathis, the co-founder of the Alpha Gal Foundation and Two Alpha Gals. "We were each separately, sick for a long time on our own, you know, at least 10 years each, and had gone through to see lots of specialists trying to figure out what in the world was causing all these strange symptoms, everything from GI distress to joint pain and brain fog," said Nichols, the co-founder of the Alpha Gal Foundation and Two Alpha Gals. They say tick bites create an allergy to galactose alpha 1 3 galactose, which is better known as alpha-gal, and that's a sugar found in all mammals except for humans and some primates. Reactions vary from person to person, but can be caused by food or products made from mammals, such as beef, pork, gelatin, and much more. "And we're now involved in a federal bill to make alpha-gal a part of the major food allergens, which would be the 10th major food allergen, so that you know, would be life changing for our community," Mathis said. How to protect yourself and pets from tick bites Although pets can not get alpha-gal syndrome, the number of impacts a simple tick bite can have on them is just as great and can be prevented with the right treatment. "It's a lot easier to prevent the disease than to treat it," Dr. Dirito said. "You put a preventative on there, you wear socks, you wear long pants, or you do a tick check every single solitary day," said Dr. Hammond. There is a lot of information about ticks and how they can impact pets and people. So here is a short list of prevention measures for you and your pets. Tick prevention for pets Topical prevention treatments Vinegar rinse Immediately remove the tick if you see it Visit your local veterinarian Tick prevention for humans Repellents Long pants, shirts Self-tick checks To learn more about Alpha Gal syndrome, you can visit this website.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Beware the blood suckers: It's tick season in Tennessee. Here's everything to know
With warm weather and longer days also comes the beginning of tick season. Tick season in Tennessee has already started and if you like being outdoors, you should be taking precautions. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the number of ticks in Tennessee has been on the rise in recent years, and along with that comes an increase in the diseases that these pests carry. And though the blood sucking insects are small and hard to detect, it is essential to keep an eye out for them in the coming months. There are ways to protect yourself from getting bitten and potentially contracting a tick-borne disease. Here's what to know about ticks, prevention and more for the upcoming season. What do ticks look like? Ticks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all of them have the potential to make people sick with diseases like Lyme's Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and alpha-gal syndrome. Take a look at the different types of ticks in our gallery. The most commonly found ones in Tennessee are the Brown dog tick, the Gulf Coast tick and the Lone Star tick. Where are ticks usually found? Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, dense and wooded areas where they can find hosts like deer, rodents and birds. They can even come from a beloved pet or other animals you come in contact with. According to Terminix, the only way for ticks to spread to new areas is to hitch a ride on their host. Although the insects are usually found outdoors, they can enter your home on pets or clothing. They're not typically found in beds like bed bugs or fleas. What is Lyme disease? Do ticks spread other diseases? Ticks carry a plethora of bacteria with them, and once they bite a human, they can spread a number of diseases. One of the most prevalent is Lyme disease. According to the CDC, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. Humans can get Lyme disease through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash that often resembles a bulls-eye. It is more prevalent in the northeastern or upper Midwest areas of the U.S., but according to the Department of Health, it is making its way into Tennessee. Here are some of the more common tick bite-related illnesses. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Another disease is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and where Lyme disease can affect your health, RMSF could be potentially fatal. According to the CDC, Tennessee is a common place for it. It is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick, often by an American dog tick, brown dog tick or Rocky Mountain wood tick. Most people who get sick with this will have a fever, headache and rash. RMSF could be deadly if not treated with the right antibiotics early. Alpha-gal syndrome This is a fairly new one when it comes to tick-borne illnesses. Alpha-gal syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening allergy to pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, and/or venison, and byproducts of these animals. According to the CDC, it is usually associated with the bite of a lone star tick in the U.S., but other kinds of ticks have not been ruled out as carriers of it. How to check for ticks Ticks most often infect people in the outdoors and are then brought into homes. Here are some tips from Terminix on checking for ticks. Thoroughly inspect your body and your pets after spending time outdoors, especially in areas with tall grass or dense foliage. Begin with your scalp, as ticks can often hide there. Use a mirror or ask someone to help you check hard-to-see areas such as behind the ears, underarms, and around the groin. For pets, check their fur and skin, paying attention to areas where ticks might latch on. If you find a tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping it as close to the skin as possible. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or an antiseptic. Flush the tick down the toilet or throw it away in a sealed bag. Monitor the bite area for any signs of infection or rash, and if any unusual symptoms develop or you have concerns, seek medical advice promptly. How do I remove a tick? If you are bitten by a tick be carful when removing it. Here are some tips on removal from the CDC. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by: putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Document when you discovered the tick and where you could have picked it up. If you are bitten by a tick, keep an eye out on the area for any rashes and contact your doctor. How to avoid tick bites Ticks are known to hide in tall, grassy areas before they latch onto their chosen hosts. Here are some ways to avoid tick bites. Wear long pants, socks, and long sleeves when entering grassy, bushy, and wooded areas. Tuck pants into socks or boots to create an extra barrier. Stick to the center of cleared paths and avoid walking through tall grass and other areas where ticks are more likely to be. Conduct tick checks every two to three hours while outdoors, and thoroughly check yourself, your children, and your pets when you return indoors. Does anything eat ticks? A number of animals find ticks to be tasty treats and are important in keeping the tick population down. Field & Stream put a list together of the tick's natural predators. Here are some of the animals that eat ticks: Chickens Ducks Ground feeding birds Squirrels and other rodents: They will eat them, but are also a primary source for tick-borne illnesses Frogs Lizards Wild turkeys Opossums Reptiles This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What kind of ticks are in Tennessee? Do the carry Lyme's disease
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New strain of bacteria in tick discovered at UMass Amherst
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – A lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered a new strain of bacteria in a tick last week. Researchers found that this has the potential to infect people with Spotted Fever, and now, with the warmer weather and more people outside, officials are sounding the alarm. This finding came from testing in someone's backyard, but now researchers are hoping this was an exception and not the expectation. Western Massachusetts sees record spring temperatures Spotted Fever Rickettsioses is the main danger of bacteria found in this new strain of Rickettsia. The UMass lab working on Project ITCH is a part of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases. 22News spoke with microbiologist Stephen Rich, who told us how they came upon the discovery. 'As part of that study, we actually tested for a rare set of pathogens that we usually don't see, and we discovered something that's altogether different that we've never seen before,' Rich said. The study tracks how tick control across the U.S. is working in different areas. These samples are collected from across the country and sent here to UMass Amherst, but this new strain was actually collected in New England by the University of Maine. 'In California, that was found in people, so it can get into people and it can be deadly,' Rich said. 'In this case, we saw it in rabbit ticks, which don't feed on people, and so we think we're catching it very early here in the east.' This new genotype of Rickettsia, species ME2023, could infect people with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The rare disease can be fatal without treatment. While there is no way to stop the spread of this bacteria among ticks, researchers will be keeping an eye on this new data. 'The main thing is that we want to make sure that it's in this rare tick that doesn't feed on people,' Rich said. 'What we want to make sure is that it doesn't spill over into other ticks that do feed on people.' Luckily, there is no current risk to the public, but the CDC says you should wear tick repellent and long sleeves while walking through wooded areas. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Indiana Department of Health urges precautions against tick-borne illness
A death in Floyd County attributed to ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne illness, has prompted Indiana health officials to urge Hoosiers to take precautions, as ticks are active from early spring through late fall. The Floyd County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Health are investigating the fatal case of ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne bacterial infection. Indiana reported two ehrlichiosis deaths last year. In addition to ehrlichiosis, Hoosiers are at risk for several other potentially severe tick-borne diseases. While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Indiana, Hoosiers are also at risk for a group of diseases that includes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. They are also at risk for alpha-gal syndrome, a condition caused by tick bites that can trigger an allergic reaction to red meat. The risk for tick-borne diseases is present in all parts of the state, the state health department said in a news release. Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases. The state encourages Hoosiers to take the following precautions: • Know where ticks are likely to be present (close to the ground in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas). • Treat boots, clothing and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin (however, permethrin should NOT be used on bare skin). • Use EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. • Treat pets for ticks in consultation with a veterinarian. Once indoors, people should thoroughly check for ticks on clothing, gear, pets and skin. Tumbling clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes will kill ticks, and showering can help remove any unattached ticks. Attached ticks may be safely removed by using tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and then pulling outward with steady and even pressure. After the tick is removed, the area should be washed thoroughly. Ticks should never be crushed with the fingernails. Anyone who becomes ill after finding an attached tick should see a healthcare provider immediately and alert the provider to the exposure. Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics, and prompt diagnosis can help prevent complications. Visit the IDOH website for more information about ticks and how to prevent the diseases they carry, as well as a data dashboard. More information also is available online at
