Watch Out for Ticks!

As the leaves change color, and you feel that fall chill in the air, you may want to be doing the typical autumn activities outside! This could include hiking, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, or just a stroll through the woods. However, with these fun activities outside, there’s one thing you have to look out for! Unlike a lot of insects and arachnids, ticks are not limited to the summer and warm temperatures. They can thrive all-year round! Therefore, as you are running through a corn maze or an a walk through the woods, just be cautious to make sure that you don’t fall victim to a tick!

Ticks are a type of parasite that feed on blood. Although they might look like insects, they are actually a species of arachnid. This is because they have eight legs. They are pretty small, with a body that is usually tear-drop shaped. However, once they feed on blood they swell and engorge. They are often black or red in color, with certain markings that help identify the species. Ticks love humidity, and often like to hide in tall grasses. They can latch on and travel anywhere, so be careful to check clothing, backpacks, or other accessories after being outdoors. The most common place ticks like to latch on to are pets, so make sure to check your dog after any walks where you think there could have been ticks hiding!

In addition, ticks can carry a variety of diseases. The most common disease to note is Lyme disease, since it can affect both dogs and humans. It is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to multiple complications. Therefore, it is important to take measures to prevent ticks. There are multiple preventions to take, such as checking your pets daily, especially after being outdoors. It is also important to remove ticks as soon as you see them, checking your legs, skin and clothing after being outside in taller grasses, keeping up with your backyard, and checking any backpacks or other accessories that were outside with you. It is important to get outside and enjoy the fall activities, just be careful to keep ticks away from your home and family!