As Western Pennsylvanians, we’re no strangers to the presence of ticks, especially if you live in a rural part of the county.

On Monday, staff reported that 54% of deer ticks in Pennsylvania are infected with Lyme disease. Butler County had the most cases of Lyme disease in the state in 2017, and Pennsylvania has found itself in the top 10 states for cases of Lyme disease every year since 2008.

If those statistics weren’t staggering enough, for 11 of those years, Pennsylvania ranked No. 1 for cases of Lyme disease.

The symptoms of Lyme disease can devastate the body if left unchecked and/or misdiagnosed, which can happen all too easily.

It’s important to be aware of tactics for repelling ticks as well as recognizing the warning signs of the disease they can carry, especially if you have children who spend a lot of time outside.

According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, wearing EPA-approved repellents that contain 20% DEET (a chemical used as the active ingredient in many insect repellents) or greater will effectively repel ticks for several hours.

It’s also recommended that you check your clothing and perform a full-body “tick check” after being outdoors.

When conducting the check, it is important to look over your whole body. Ticks prefer warm, moist areas, including under the arms, behind the knees, between the legs, in and around the ears, in the belly button and in hair.

Showering within two hours of coming indoors may help wash off unattached ticks.

In the event you find an attached tick, it can be removed with fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards with even pressure, as twisting and jerking can cause the mouth of the tick to remain embedded in the skin.

Proper vigilance is they key to preventing any lasting effects from a tick bite. Make sure to check your children as well as yourselves this season.

— CM