LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - As you head outside this spring and summer, a warning to watch out for ticks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bloodsuckers are most active between April and October and peak in the summer.
Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) entomologist David Theuret said ticks are most often found in wooded, brushy areas and in tall grass.
Five cases of Spotted Fever, a tick-borne illness, were reported in Arkansas between January 1 and April 28.
“It's important to realize if they want to protect themselves and their family there are steps they can take to do that,” Theuret said.
His tips for preventing tick bites include:
- Wearing long pants and long sleeves as weather permits.
- Wearing repellents that are EPA approved
- Check your body daily for ticks
“If you find them make sure to use a good set of forceps or tweezers and grab as close to where the tick is biting you as possible, and you want to pinch and pull straight upward,” Theuret said. “You don’t want to use a match. You don’t want to cover it in Vaseline or anything because that might cause the tick to spit up inside of you and it might increase likelihood that it will transmit pathogens.”
He added that if you find ticks on yourself, it is important to be conscious of how you are feeling.
“if you start feeling like you have flu like symptoms – fever, headache, you’re just not feeling right, maybe a little nauseous, I would definitely go talk to your physician or other medical provider,” Theuret said.
For additional tips on repelling ticks click here.