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What Warmer Winters Mean For Tick-Borne Disease

Winters nowadays look significantly different than they used to mere decades ago. Many areas that used to be home to the harshest winter weather now see milder temperatures, less snow, and more rain. These changes are mainly due to the effects of climate change on the globe.

Milder temperatures are making their way to areas where snow and cold are usually present. In areas where snowfall is unlikely, cold snaps are occurring. Climate change is complicated, and scientists are still trying to predict and understand how it’s causing these extreme weather changes.

While it’s true that these global changes can lead to harsher winters with more intense blizzards, the opposite is true for many areas in the northern part of the country. The states that border Canada are often predisposed to cold winters and heavy snow. However, in recent years, those areas have been experiencing record-breaking warmer temperatures because the atmosphere is heating up.

Climate change affects all life on earth – including tick populations. But how does climate change affect ticks and the spread of the diseases they carry? Let’s investigate what warmer winters mean for tick-borne disease.

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person hiking through woods in winter
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Do Winter Ticks Carry Lyme Disease?

When people think of tick season, they tend to picture warm days spent hiking in the woods. While spring and summer are typically referred to as “tick season,” the truth is that ticks can be active all year round. This is because there are many different types of ticks that thrive in different conditions.

For example: the black-legged tick is mainly thought to be active during the warmer seasons, but can survive in temperatures that are just above freezing. Other types of ticks – mainly the Gulf Cost tick and the Lone Star tick – are also both fairly active in the winter months.

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person hiking in fall
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Don’t Let Your Guard Down: Prevalence Of Ticks In Fall

Now that summer is over, many people may be breathing a sigh of relief that tick season is over. But unfortunately, the end of summer does not mean the end of the tick threat – ticks can still live throughout the fall. It’s important not to let your guard down as the season changes, as this may open you up to an increased risk of being bitten by a tick infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

The fall often leads to a drop in temperature, which may give people a false sense of security since ticks thrive in warmer temperatures. However, in many places, fall temperatures aren’t as low as they need to be for tick populations to die down and become a lesser threat to people living or spending time in wooded areas. So how does fall weather affect tick populations, exactly? And why should you continue to practice safety measures even in the cooler weather? Read on for all you need to know about the prevalence of ticks in fall.

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person walking in woods on log
News

What Does 2021 Summer’s Tick Season Look Like?

With warmer weather arriving, people are getting excited about spending more time outdoors in nature. The pandemic has made the warmer months even more desirable for people looking to get out of their homes. Being outdoors is great for health in a variety of different ways. It can help boost immunity, reduce stress, and relieve some symptoms of mental illness. But when you’re outdoors, there are some pests that can be a real nuisance. One of those pests is the tick.

Ticks are found in the wooded areas that many people like to frequent in the summer months. But they aren’t just an annoyance. Ticks, primarily black-legged and deer ticks, can harbor bacteria that can cause diseases such as Lyme disease. This doesn’t mean that you should avoid going outside, but knowing what to expect from the 2021 summer tick season will help you be better prepared to avoid contracting an illness from a tick bite.

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red and black tick on piece of wood
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How To Identify Different Types Of Ticks: A Beginner’s Guide

As the warm weather approaches and activities such as hiking become more inviting, many people will flock to wooded areas to enjoy the best Mother Nature has to offer. Research shows that being in nature is a great way to combat stress and improve overall levels of health – however, there are some risks associated with being in the great outdoors. One particular risk is getting bit by a tick.

A tick bite is no ordinary bug bite. This is because of the diseases ticks can carry. One such disease is Lyme disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to chronic health issues. Diseased ticks can also carry other types of infections such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Bourbon virus, Colorado tick fever, Heartland virus, Rocky mountain spotted fever, and Tularemia.

Ticks are small arachnids that thrive in wooded areas, grasslands, and forests. Their survival relies on their ability to find a host and feed on its blood. There are many different species of ticks that can be found in North America. Some exclusively feed on wild animals, but there are some that will latch onto a human to get their meal. Those types of ticks are the ones you’ll need to watch out for while you’re out enjoying the fresh air. But how can you spot a tick? And how do you know which ones pose the most danger? Read on for our beginner’s guide to how to identify different types of ticks. 

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