ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — As the weather warms up across the country, more and more hungry ticks are emerging in grassy and wooded areas.
In states like Missouri, the three most commonly found ticks are the deer tick (or black-legged tick), the American dog tick and the Lone star tick. However, there are more than 30 species of ticks in the U.S., 10 of which commonly bite humans and four that can transmit diseases.
According to Pests.org, The Midwest and Northeast are the ticks capitals of America and this year's tick season will last longer than normal into September and October.
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In the lower midwest, a wetter than usual spring, coupled with a lot of severe flooding, is going to extend the habitats of many tick species, and make those areas habitable for longer than usual," Pests.org states. "So there could be a significant increase in tick activity in places like Missouri and the Ohio River valley."
Every year, thousands of tick-borne diseases are reported in the US, but Stony Brook Medicine Dr. Luis Marcos is predicting this year will be worse.
“We have seen tons of cases with tick bites, particularly with lone star ticks – not just one tick, but multiple tick bites,” he said.
Dr. Marcos says that the most concerning illness carried by ticks is Lyme disease, which can mimic symptoms of the flu and COVID-19.
“The symptoms of Lyme disease is very similar, at the beginning, like COVID-19 with the flu-like symptoms. So, if you have those symptoms, and you think you may have COVID, it may not be COVID, it may be Lyme disease,” the doctor said.
The illness is normally treated using antibiotics and is preventable if a tick is properly from the skin within 24 hours.
Dr. Marcos recommends that everyone use bug spray if they are going outside into a grassy or wooded area. He also recommends covering the skin with clothing to prevent a bite.
After coming home from the area, the doctor also recommends taking a shower, as it is harder for ticks to attach themselves to wet skin, and the water will wash the bugs away.
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