The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is reminding you to be preventative when it comes to tick bites.
Ticks become more active when the temperature rises above 4 degrees according to the Health Unit and if you’re bitten you risk getting Lyme disease. They say ticks are present throughout the entire Leeds, Grenville and Lanark area but have some tips to reduce the risk.
The Health Unit says dressing in light colours makes ticks easier to see because they’re darker and when you come inside you should check to make sure there aren’t any one you. If you do find ticks on your clothes the Health Unit says several minutes in a hot dryer has been know to kill them.
The Health Unit adds that not all ticks are infected with Lyme disease and that transmission actually depends on how long the tick is attached for. If the tick is removed in less than 24 hours the likelihood of transmission is low, but if the tick has been attached for more than 24 hours it is suggested you consult a health care provider.
Symptoms of Lyme disease can range from a bulls-eye rash around the bite area to fever and muscle or joint pain, they can appear anytime from three days to several weeks after being bitten.
More information is available here.