worst thing about Cape Cod is ticks.
A bold statement for sure, but these mini-vampires have been waiting for you all year long. Yes, you: blood meal on the leg.
It would be bad enough if they met politely and left without any response. But it’s much worse than that. Tick bites can carry a fleeting burden that can change your life and even land you in the hospital. Rogues gallery includes disorder Lyme disease, tularemia, Babesiosis, anaplasmosis And fever again.
Whether you live on the Cape or vacation here, one of the most important things you need to know is how to avoid ticks and what to do if you find one on your body.
“We want people to be tick aware, but not afraid,” said Larry Dapsis, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension entomologist. “It’s going to be a series of individual victories that will make the difference.”
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Dapsis has a clear, concise development Tick information package Barnstable County website. You can dial it capecod.gov/departments/cooperative-extension/programs/ticks-bugs. This is an important resource for anyone spending time on Cape Cod.
Dapsis is the subject of the highly informative short documentary film “tick,” by filmmakers Marnie Crawford Samuelson and Shane Hofelt. The film can be viewed here bostonpicturegroup.com/tick-days. The film is about 18 minutes long and it really brings home what the Cape has against it in terms of ticks.
Much of the information below is culled from Cape Cod Cooperative Extension website. Stay safe out there!
Cape Cod ticks are active year-round.
With the possible exception of days when temperatures are below freezing, ticks on Cape Cod can be active year-round. This means that offseason hiking, brush-clearing and even gardening still puts you at risk of an unpleasant tick interlude.
What kind of ticks live on Cape Cod?
The blood-leaching lineup includes:
How can I reduce the chance of being bitten by a tick?
Your clothing is a great place to start when it comes to reducing the chance of tick bites. When possible, wear long clothing and tuck your pants into your socks when going out in wooded areas. Treating clothing with permethrin can also be a big help.
According to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
“Permethrin is a broad-spectrum, non-systemic, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that targets adults and larvae of many species of biting, chewing, scaling, soil and flying invertebrates. Permethrin is registered by the EPA as an insecticide for use in a variety of settings. When on clothing When used to pre-treat, it is an insect repellent.”
Many hardware stores sell spray products that contain permethrin that can be used to treat clothing. Be sure to follow product instructions carefully. Another option is to purchase clothing that has been treated with permethrin. Manufacturers say that permethrin stays effective through 70 washes. including companies insect shield And LL Bean Sell permethrin-treated clothing.
For skin protection, products that contain DEET and can be applied to the skin may provide some protection. DEET is an insect repellent that, According to the EPA“It works by making it harder for these biting bugs to smell us.”
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What can I do after being outdoors to reduce the chance of tick bites?
Check your skin and clothing and remove and dispose of any ticks you find. Ticks often cling to clothing, biding their time when they can get to the bite site.
According to Cape Cod Cooperative ExtensionThrowing your clothes in the dryer for 20 minutes will kill the ticks that are hiding in your clothes.
What should I do if I have a tick on my body?
This is always a rebellious development, but it does not mean that any misery was transmitted. Of course, though, you want to remove the tick immediately.
Arm yourself with pointy tweezers and antiseptic, according to Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.
- Grasp the tick by the head with tweezers and pull straight up. Avoid twisting.
- Save the tick in a baggie and date it. That way, you’ll be able to identify the tick or send it for testing, and provide your doctor with information about when the bite occurred.
- After removing the tick, apply antiseptic to the bite site.
Should I notify my doctor about tick bites?
According to Cape Cod HealthcareIn the case of a tick bite, you should “notify your primary care physician for next steps, which may include blood tests for Lyme disease and a course of antibiotics.”
Should I use a tick identification and testing service?
Let’s get started State Public Health Department For this one. According to the department: “While testing ticks can provide useful information, there are some significant problems.”
The state lists these issues:
- Positive or negative results from a tick or a tick attached to a person do not provide definitive proof that you have been or have not been exposed.
- Most people diagnosed with a tick-borne disease don’t know they’ve been bitten by a tick, and the tick you find isn’t the only tick that bit you.
- It is possible to be bitten by a disease-carrying tick and not become infected with the disease, depending on many factors, including how long the tick has been attached to you.
Your best bet in the fight against tick-borne illnesses is to be aware of situations that could expose you to them. Take preventive measures to reduce the chance of being bitten. Be careful to check yourself and your clothes after poking around outside. If you are bitten by a small rotter, remove it and consider seeking medical attention.
And most importantly, don’t let ticks take away the joy of exploring and being outdoors on Cape Cod. It is very beautiful!
Eric Williams, while not solving the intriguing Cape Cod mystery, writes about the various ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, the wildlife, and other topics. Contact him ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @capecast.
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