The March 26, 2016, Cedar Key Public Library talk by Brenda Boleyn was all about ticks, especially the “big three” tick species that cause the most diseases in humans.  Brenda introduced to the audience the Black-legged Tick (also called Deer Tick), the Common Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick, and all the diseases caused by the pathogens the ticks carry.  As our climate is changing, so are the ticks. They are moving north and are carrying more diseases.   Though Lyme Disease is the most commonly known tick-borne disease, these three species of ticks also carry protozoan, viral and bacterial pathogens and sometimes all three. 

Ticks are very adaptable and are here to stay.  Brenda stressed the importance of protecting ourselves because we need to figure out how to live with them without getting sick.  Ticks like moisture, live in low vegetation such as grasses and shrubs, and leaf litter.   When out in the scrub or woods, it is best to stay near the center of the trail away from the taller vegetation.  Avoid kicking up leaf litter. Ticks are particularly attracted to the carbon dioxide given off by mammals and will drop from the vegetation and crawl up the body.  When in the scrub or woods, stay in the middle of the trail and avoid the edges.  Tuck your socks in your pant leg bottoms and use DEET on socks, shoes and pant legs.  Permethrin is a pesticide that is sometimes used on clothing, but it is important to note not to put it on your skin or the fur of your pet.  It is a neurotoxin to us and our pets as well as the ticks! Permethrin is effective but it is very important for your safety to read the label before using. 

Brenda also discussed how to remove ticks when they are imbedded in your skin or the skin of your pet.  There are tools available for tick removal or use tweezers.  To remove an imbedded tick, using a tweezer or tick removal tool, pinch as close to the tick’s head with the tweezer as possible, then using steady pulling pressure, pull the tick out.  Then thoroughly wash the skin where the tick was attached.  Brenda recommended not putting anything on the tick before removing it.  Kill the tick in rubbing alcohol or soapy water.

Brenda’s “tick talk” was very timely!  Ticks are in Florida and doing well here.  They like warmth and moisture and we have both.  The incidence of Lyme Disease is not as high in Florida as in some other states, but Lyme Disease is definitely here.  Check yourself for ticks when you get out of the woods or scrub.

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