According to different experts, ticks, a nasty little parasite attached to humans and animals, could be a bigger problem this summer than last year, foreign media Slash Gear reported. Much of the United States has experienced weather that has led to a surge in tick populations, especially in the Midwest states, where tick activity is above average.
Ticks are common throughout the United States, but their level of activity each summer depends on the climate: if the winter is mild, spring begins early, and large amounts of rain lead to high humidity, the number of ticks surges. The parasite is attached to wild animals such as deer and squirrels, as well as pets such as dogs and cats. Similarly, ticks attach to humans.
According to the Weather Channel, the Midwest states are experiencing slightly above-average tick activity, while the Pacific Northwest, which extends to Montana and Wyoming, is experiencing average tick levels. However, higher-than-average tick activity in the Midwest states means people from The Dakotas to Ohio need to be extra vigilant when out in nature.
According to the report, some areas of the Midwest that don’t normally have tick may end up dealing with the blood sucking animal this summer. Increased activity is a problem because parasites can carry diseases, especially Lyme disease, which can cause long-term damage to some people.
In a question-and-answer session on the 2021 tick season, the University of Minnesota noted that there are steps people can take to reduce the risk of being bitten by ticks in nature, including using DEET-based insect repellents. In addition, since it takes time for the disease to spread from ticks to human hosts, experts recommend checking their surroundings daily for ticks and removing them before they have a chance to stay too long.
