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Ticks, mosquitoes out in full force

ESCANABA — In addition to being well-known summertime nuisances, mosquitoes and ticks can spread a variety of vector-borne diseases. Local forest officials shared information on this year’s tick and mosquito season in the area, along with tips on how people can effectively deal with these pests.

According to Delta Conservation District Executive Director Rory Mattson, 2018’s tick season has been an intense one.

“The ticks came out in early May, and they were pretty strong this year,” he said.

Bill Cobb, safety manager for the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests, agreed with this.

“I think ticks are up this year,” he said.

Cobb noted that he believes this is the case due to the moisture levels seen in the area this summer.

“It kind of makes a good environment for them,” he said.

According to Cobb, one type of tick to watch out for in Michigan is the black-legged or deer tick. These ticks can spread Lyme disease.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and a distinctive “bullseye” rash, Cobb said. While bullseye rashes are heavily associated with Lyme disease, people with the disease do not always have this symptom.

“Not (everybody) gets the bullseye rash,” he said.

People who are bitten by a tick should be careful when removing it.

“Remove it nice and slowly, usually with tweezers,” Cobb said. He encouraged people removing ticks to grab the tick as close to their skin as possible. Once the tick is removed, they should use an antiseptic on their skin, disinfect their hands, and see a physician for possible diagnosis, testing, and treatments (especially if tick parts remain after the tick is removed).

Cobb noted that humans are not alone in being susceptible to Lyme disease.

“Watch your animals, as well,” he said.

Mattson said the area’s mosquito population usually starts to emerge in May. However, this has not been the case in 2018.

This year, Mattson said mosquitoes generally started emerging in late June and early July. He believes this is because the water mosquitoes live in during the early stages of their lives had not stayed consistently warm enough during the spring for many to hatch at this time.

“I believe it’s because of the cold nights,” he said.

To protect themselves from ticks and mosquitoes, people can wear hats, light-colors, and items of clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and tucked-in long pants. They are also encouraged to use insect repellents, particularly those containing between 20 and 50 percent DEET. Wearing clothes treated with the insecticide permethrin can also help.

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