Prevention and being pro-active prevail during tick season

Check kids, pets and yourself twice a day for these dangerous stow-aways

By Gerald Rogovin

Spring is here, and so are deer ticks.  They frequently lead to a rising incidence of Lyme Disease, and this year is no exception on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Learn more about ticks and your pets from the forum on CapeCodPets.com here and about ticks in general on CapeCodToday.com here.

The disease is called "Lyme" because it was first encountered in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975. But it has since been found in 48 other states. The highest incidence has been here on the Cape, where it is a year-round problem.

It is most severe from May 15-August 15.

Knowing that, if you're here, or coming to the area on vacation, you need to know how to protect yourself and your family from Lyme Disease.

Deer ticks are usually found on hiking trails, conservation land, recreational areas and woodland habitats. But they often turn up in your own backyard. So you have to be vigilant.

You can protect yourself and your children in a variety of ways, according to the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Dr. Robert A. Labdon, of Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod, all of whom were represented on a June 15th panel presented by the Orleans Citizens Forum.

The Barnstable County Cooperative Extension has laminated cards showing deer ticks and American dog ticks, both male and female at actual size. Click here for an oversized version of the pocket-sized card.

Their suggestions included:

• Wear light-colored clothing from head to toe. Ticks are easier to detect against a light background.Wear long sleeves and long pants. If possible, tuck your pants into your shoes.
• Use insect repellents containing C(12)H(17)NO. Frontline is considered safest for dogs, according to Dr. Labdon, when applied at 3-week intervals.
• Keep bird feeders at a distance from your home. Birds also carry ticks.
• Remove all brush and tall vegetation near your house, tent or cabin.
• At the end of your day outside, brush your clothing, and that of your children, vigorously. Inspect
  cuffs, belts and collars for embedded ticks.
• Give each child and the family pet a body check twice daily. For a child, the hairline, scalp, back and other difficult-to-see areas need to be checked carefully.

It takes a tick at least 24 hours to transmit bacteria after the tick has burrowed into a human or animal. That makes daily checks for ticks imperative.

Click here for an informative tick bite info sheet.

Gerald Rogovin began as a journalist in 1948 in dailies, weeklies, radio and magazines; and in the past 9 years back to weeklies and magazines. In between, for 36 years, he headed his own public relations firm in Boston. He lives in Yarmouth Port with a skepticism confirmed by 60 years in the inky trade.