Warm summer season brings rising number of ticks

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - The warm weather means ticks are out in droves across East Texas, and entomologists at Texas A&M AgriLife say this tick season is more active than usual.

Ticks are always around, but their populations tend to swell around the month of May and stick around until October or November. Their numbers are influenced by weather and environmental conditions - and since we didn’t see a long or intense winter, the tick population is higher than normal. The CDC says there’s been an increase in tick-related trips to the emergency room nationwide; and their bites carry some big risks.

The bite itself can cause allergic reactions, or the tick’s saliva can transmit bacteria, viruses or infections. Complications can range from minor skin irritation to severe and life-threatening diseases. The most common is Lyme disease. If you start to notice any symptoms such as fever, chills or body aches, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately.

The first thing you should do if bitten by a tick is remove it. With a pair of fine tweezers, get as close to the skin as you can, and gently pull it off -- You’ll also want to scrub the area with soap and water, and keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t develop into something more serious.

You can reduce your risk around your home by maintaining your landscaping; that means keeping the grass short - no higher than about two inches- as well as clearing leaves and debris so the ticks have nowhere to hide.