You Won’t Be Happy To Hear That Oklahoma Is Experiencing A Major Surge Of Ticks This Year
We all know Oklahoma is a haven for ticks and mosquitoes, and unfortunately, this year looks like it’s going to be worse than usual. Some people are calling 2019 “The year of the tick” due to our wet winter, which means were going to see a big reproduction season for ticks.
Welcome to Oklahoma...where ticks and mosquitoes run rampant. If you've lived in the state very long, then you know these bugs are not only a nuisance, but can carry diseases too.
There are several types of ticks in the Sooner State, including the American Dog Tick, Brown Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, and Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick). Pictured below is the Blacklegged Tick which can be quite small.
From left to right: The blacklegged tick larva, nymph, adult female, and adult male. When the Backlegged Tick is in its nymph stage, the risk of transmission of Lyme disease is the greatest.
You'll find them in pretty much every part of the state, but if you visit wooded or grassy areas, be careful because the number of ticks is much greater.
Insect repellant with deet does help repel ticks. In fact, deet by itself tested between 85% to 89% effective at repelling ticks. It's also a good idea to make a solution of water and vinegar and spray it on your pets to repel ticks because ticks hate the smell of it.
One of the greatest risks with tick bites is contracting Lyme disease from Blacklegged Ticks. If you see a bulls eye after a tick bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Ticks do have to be attached to the skin for awhile before disease can be transferred, which is why it's important to get the tick out of your skin as soon as possible. Lyme Disease can be cured by antibiotics if caught early enough.
And remember, many ticks are very small and only the size of a freckle. It's always a good idea every night to check your body for any signs of ticks and remove them right away.
Does anyone have any other words of wisdom about repelling ticks from animals and people? Please share any other helpful information with our readers in the comments section!
Don’t let this report deter you from exploring the great outdoors this season. Just remember to bring your DEET and check your body for any ticks. If you’re looking for beautiful places to visit outdoors in the Sooner State, check out this easy, breezy waterfall hike in northeastern Oklahoma.
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Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 25 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't exploring Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beaches of California.
