We’ve got a little bit of bad news to share, Georgians. Maybe before we dive into the whole mess of things happening this spring and summer you take a look at this unique alpaca farm to lift your spirits. Did you get a good dose of those cute, fluffy faces? Okay good. Onto business…
Unfortunately, Georgia has been experiencing an upswing in tick infections lately and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Find out all you need to know about this bug bad news and how to prevent tick bites and illnesses altogether.
Because Georgia happens to be one of the warmer states with higher precipitation, it also becomes a hotbed for fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks.
Flickr Oliver Dodd The number of tick-borne illnesses has risen tremendously in Georgia and other eastern states, according to the CDC.
Tick-borne illnesses have doubled between 2004 and 2016, with a sharp increase last year especially.
Flickr John Tann Tick bites though, are the least of the problems when it comes to these pesky bugs—other illnesses that these bugs carry include Lyme’s disease, spotted fever rickettsioses, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, also known as ehrlichiosis.
In fact, there is a primary time of year for when ticks become a real threat—late spring, summer, and early fall.
Flickr Judy Gallagher
The reason there is a surge in ticks throughout the country is largely due to the warmer temperatures experienced this winter as well as the added precipitation.
Flickr Ryszard Truth be told, ticks are fairly hard to control, which means that it is up to you to protect yourself and your family, especially when out adventuring through Georgia this year.
A few ways to protect yourself from ticks include wearing long-sleeved shirts or pants, staying on walking paths or trails, applying repellants, inspecting yourself and family members when you get home, and also inspecting your pets!
Flickr Thomas Ohelboeck Remember that just because there is a surge in ticks in Georgia doesn’t mean you can’t take the necessary steps and precautions to stay safe!
Care to share your own input about this influx in ticks in Georgia? Add your own thoughts to the comments section!
Flickr Oliver Dodd
The number of tick-borne illnesses has risen tremendously in Georgia and other eastern states, according to the CDC.
Flickr John Tann
Tick bites though, are the least of the problems when it comes to these pesky bugs—other illnesses that these bugs carry include Lyme’s disease, spotted fever rickettsioses, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, also known as ehrlichiosis.
Flickr Judy Gallagher
Flickr Ryszard
Truth be told, ticks are fairly hard to control, which means that it is up to you to protect yourself and your family, especially when out adventuring through Georgia this year.
Flickr Thomas Ohelboeck
Remember that just because there is a surge in ticks in Georgia doesn’t mean you can’t take the necessary steps and precautions to stay safe!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
