Increase in tick population predicted for the Hudson Valley

I love spring and summer here in the Hudson Valley. Blossoming trees, flowers, green grass and countless hiking trails. It’s like living in a spring and summer wonderland. There is one thing about the hot weather in the Hudson Valley that I don’t really like. Ticks.

My closest friends have two boxers and they take them out for a run every day, even in the winter. Often they will go into the woods where the dogs can run free. Well, in the spring and summer it is likely that dogs will come out of the woods with ticks on them. That’s why I won’t even enter their house until the dogs are controlled and the ticks are removed. The last thing I want is Lyme disease.

And now for the bad news. Pests.org says this year is going to be bad for ticks here in the Hudson Valley. He says we’ll see a larger tick population than usual. Oh great. This is exactly what we need after a global pandemic.

But there are ways to protect yourself. According to the NYS Department of Health, wearing light-colored, tightly woven clothing can help. If you are in the woods, leave as little skin exposed as possible, avoid dense brush, take a shower or bath as soon as possible, and check your body for ticks. If you have a tick bite, watch out for Lyme symptoms, including a rash that appears three days to a month after the bite. If you find a tick, the CDC has great tips on removing and testing ticks.

Does a large tick population mean we have to forgo enjoying the woods and trails here in the Hudson Valley? Of course not. But it’s important to be aware of the problem and make sure you’re proactive in protecting yourself and your family. Good road.

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