If a bumper crop of mosquitoes weren’t enough, deer tick numbers in the area are awful as well, Dave Geske said.

“The density of deer ticks in our area is so high, with more deer, small mammals and birds carrying the ticks,” said Geske, vector control officer for the La Crosse County Health Department. “Deer ticks and Lyme (disease) thrive in this area. The worst time is now through the end of June, but they’re a problem through the first frost.”
He said the deer tick has a two-year life cycle and often affects dogs even more severely than humans. “The ticks take such a toll on dogs,” Geske said.

Deer ticks are tiny and in the nymph stage at this time of year, he said. “So many people don’t even realize they have a tick on them,” Geske said.

To prevent tick bites, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pant legs into socks and use an insect repellent containing DEET, Geske said. Check yourself and pets regularly for ticks when you are in the woods and thoroughly examine your skin and scalp when you return home, he said.

Ads by Yahoo! Stickhead Lacrosse Gear When you need a lacrosse shaft, head or handle think Stickhead. A lacrosse specialty store with a full line of gear and stringing accessories. Discounts and specials change weekly. store.stickheadlacrosse.com Girls Lacrosse Gear Online store offering girl's and women's lacrosse equipment, including lacrosse sticks, gifts, accessories, clothes, t-shirts and more. girlslacrossegear.com Buick LaCrosse Clearance Buick LaCrosse Blowout Pricing Huge Buick LaCrosse Incentives. BuickLaCrosse.OpenAuto.com

Advertisement