Many reading this might think April is a bit too early to be thinking about ticks, but this is the beginning of peak tick season. Last week while cleaning out the office shed, I had my first encounter for the year - with a brown dog tick. In our area we are likely to stumble upon one of the four ticks pictured below, especially between the months of April and September when the weather is warmest. Although these little guys are tiny they can do some major damage if infected and bite a human, and they all do something different. Click the links at the bottom of the article to learn more.

• Black-legged Tick: Bites cause Lyme Disease
• American Dog Tick and Brown Dog Tick: Bites cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Lone Star Tick: Bites cause Ehrlichiosis. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis are somewhat similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

• Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or on animals. Any time outdoors can put you in contact with ticks.
• Treat dogs and cats as recommended by a vet
• Check for ticks daily - especially under arms, in and around ears, inside the belly button, behind knees, between legs, around the waist, and on the hairline, and scalp.
• Use EPA registered insect repellents

For more information, check out the links below:

• • From the FDA
  • From the CDC
  • From NC State Extension