Summer is gone, leaves have fallen and there is a crispness to the air – and ticks are still out.
Adult ticks are readying themselves for the winter. In search of their meal host they do not discriminate against adult, child, or animal. You won’t always get the tell-tale bulls-eye rash when bitten by a tick as different ticks carry different infections which come with different symptoms.
One cannot tell simply by looking at the tick, if they are carrying an infection or not. The Bangor Daily News recently reported that per the Maine Centers for Disease Control “Fifty percent of all ticks in Maine carry some form of tick-borne disease”.
As co-founder of the Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education, one of the biggest topics we push is prevention, because once you’re bitten everything changes. If you’re not symptomatic right away, it becomes a fear-filled waiting game wrought with controversy over testing and treatment.
If you know anyone who is or who has suffered from the effects of Lyme or a tick-borne disease, truer words have never been spoken. Trust me, you do not want to be dealing with a life time of pain and debilitating symptoms, dealing with doctors and testing that all say you’re fine when you feel anything but fine.
No, prevention is key to avoid all the pain, all the suffering and all the controversy that strikes over a million tick-borne patients worldwide.
Maine is a state with lots of outdoor activities. Through preventative education, we can continue to safely enjoy those outdoor activities without fear of contracting Lyme and, should we come into contact with a tick, we are armed with awareness for treatment options to combat the potential for tick-born infection to disseminate.
With the right amount of prevention, it makes it difficult for ticks to survive and therefore, unable to attach and transmit infections. There are lots of options available to suit your lifestyle. Some opt for harsh chemicals while others prefer a more natural approach. Harsh chemicals can be toxic to pets and children. Prevention is about layered security.
Treat your clothing: Permethrin is a great recommendation for all your outer wear. Spray liberally and allow to fully dry. Do not put it on your skin. It will last through seven washes. If you work outdoors, you can send your clothing away to be treated with a more concentrated level of Permethrin which lasts for up to 75 washes.
Treat your skin: Products that contain Deet are the most effective. The higher the percentage of Deet, the more effective. For those who are sensitive to chemicals and especially for children, there are other options.
There are kid-friendly bug sprays that work for mosquitoes but are not as effective for repelling ticks. We also share a safe and natural essential oil recipe on our website.
Treat your pets: There are lots of options for your pet from vaccines to collars to drops to sprays. Your veterinarian can offer comfortable suggestions for your pets that are safe and effective.
Treat your yards: Ticks love to hang out in wet areas so on those warm and sunny days, get out there and cut back the underbrush on the outer areas of your yard. Keep your lawn mowed as that keeps the moisture levels down and prevents ticks from hanging out.
There are chemical sprays and granules that you can buy at local hardware stores as well as businesses who offer to come and spray treat your yard. Again, you have options.
Prevention starts with you. Treat your clothing, treat your skin, treat your pets, and treat your yards. A little prevention goes a long way to defending against Lyme and tick-borne diseases that are so very prevalent right here in our community.
For more information about Lyme and tick-borne diseases, prevention options, and Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education, please visit our website at www.midcoastlymediseasesupport.blogspot.com
