Which NY Counties Have the Worst Problem with Ticks?

The New York State Department of Health has put out a report on the deer tick problem and what percentage of ticks carry the Lyme Disease bacteria.

Oneida, Herkimer. Madison and Lewis Counties have a moderately high level of ticks and more than 50% of those adult insects are carrying Lyme Disease.

According to the New York City Department of Health, here are some tips to prevent a tick bite.

• Stay on cleared paths and hiking trails when walking in heavily wooded areas.

• Wear light-colored, Permethrin-treated clothing to allow you to better see ticks that crawl on your clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck your pant legs into your socks so that ticks cannot crawl up the inside of your pant legs.

• Apply repellents containing DEET to prevent ticks from attaching.

• Check for ticks on your body and clothing after returning from wooded, brushy, or tall, grassy areas and remove any ticks you find on you, your child or your pet.

• Keep in mind that young ticks are very small (about the size of a poppy seed), so seek help to inspect not easily reachable areas. Be sure to look carefully in areas of the body where hair is present, since it may make it difficult to see the ticks. Adult ticks are about the size of an apple seed.

• Shower after being in an area with ticks, and promptly put clothes in a dryer on high heat to kill ticks.

• Speak to your vet about tick prevention products for your pet dogs and cats.

• Remove leaf litter and debris to reduce the likelihood of ticks around the home.

• If you get a rash or a fever, let the doctor know if you may have been exposed to ticks, even if you don't remember having a tick bite.