Ticks

Kait Chapman is an extension insect expert at University of Nebraska, where she gets lots of calls about how to control nuisance insects. I work a lot with ticks too, which are an outdoor public health issue. Ticks are more than just an outdoor nuisance. They can bring on Lyme disease, which can be a very serious health problem. Kate says ticks do seem to be expanding their territory faster than they once did. Speaker2: You know, we're seeing different changes in weather patterns. Things get warmer, things get drier, ticks spread via their hosts of wildlife. And so here in Nebraska, we're seeing, um, new ticks. We're seeing the Lone Star tick start to spread throughout the state. And, um, you know, within the last five years or so, we're starting to see the black legged tick, um, pop up in the state, too. And that's the one that can carry Lyme disease. Um, so it's an issue people need to be aware about. It's an issue that people need to recognize. Speaker1: Especially if we spend a lot of time in the outdoors, hiking, camping, or even just working around the yard. Kate says we should do what we can to keep the ticks off of us. Use personal repellent, first of all, and. Speaker2: If it's bearable on a hot day, wear the long clothing. You know, if you're going into a place that you know has a lot of ticks, even tucking your pants into your socks can help. Or wearing white socks. Speaker2: so you can see them easier can help ticks. Speaker1: Like loose clothing, so try to wear as tight fitting clothing as you can. Again, long sleeve top, long pants and very important, she says. When you come back indoors, Katie says, quickly put your clothes in the wash as carefully. Then as possible. Check to see if you have any ticks on you and do that as quick as possible. A lot of. Speaker2: Ticks are not successful at transmitting disease if they've been feeding for 24 hours or less, so the sooner you can get the ticks off of you, the better. Speaker1: Yeah, I certainly would agree with that. Definitely. Now next time we will tickle your fancy with more yucky stuff about ticks. So have your gross out pills ready for that one.