When the weather begins to warm up it’s time to head outside and enjoy it! A word of caution though if you live in Greenwich or elsewhere in Connecticut. The deer tick is a common threat to individuals and families trying to enjoy the nice weather in this region. These small arachnids hide out in grassy areas waiting for their next host.
Deer ticks will attach themselves to humans, dogs, birds, mice, deer, squirrels and other wildlife. Tick bites may not seem like a big deal. Unfortunately here in the Northeast we do have to be concerned about the transmission of Lyme disease and the Powassan virus, two very serious tick-borne illnesses.
If you are bitten by a tick it is important to be seen by a doctor.
Lyme disease and the Powassan virus have similar symptoms but very different outcomes.
Lyme disease is spread through a tick bite from an infected tick. Not all tick bites spread Lyme disease. Some common symptoms of Lyme disease are fatigue, fever, headaches and a red ring will appear around the bite mark. These symptoms might not show up for several days. If you notice any of these symptoms it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner they can get antibiotics into your system to fight the disease the better the results will be. The longer you wait to see a doctor can have more serious affects like arthritis and neurological problems.
The Powassan virus has similar symptoms to Lyme disease but they are more severe and come on very quickly. Some symptoms include high fever, seizures and stiff neck. The biggest problem with this virus is that there is no treatment or cure. “The doctor just has to support you during the acute illness and hope that you survive,” Dr. Daniel Cameron explained to CBS.
Ticks are not a pest to be messed with. The best defense against them when you’re outside is to wear long sleeve clothing and pants, use bug repellant and avoid tall grass and bushy areas. Once you have returned inside make sure to check your clothing for ticks.
At Parkway Pest Services, we offer help for property owners in Greenwich concerned about ticks. Visit https://www.parkwaypestservices.com to find out how our outdoor tick control services can help you avoid encounters with ticks this summer!