7 July 2025
Lest you assume you don’t have to fret about ticks within the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, take into account this:
On a stroll in Schenley Park final week I noticed two does and a fawn alongside the Higher Path. The doe pictured above seemed wholesome however the different one, additional away, had very purple ears. Why? By means of binoculars I noticed that the insides of her ears had been lined with a whole lot of red-colored engorged ticks! There have been ticks on the backs of her ears, on her face and on her neck as nicely. It was the worst tick infestation I’d ever seen. Ick!
Crimson-colored ticks? They had been in all probability black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Those that carry debilitating Lyme illness.
The infested doe is not spreading Lyme illness to ticks as a result of deer are by no means contaminated by it. Nevertheless she is spreading ticks — a whole lot of probably contaminated ticks — all through Schenley Park. They may drop off in a brand new place when sated.
This spring and summer time the Allegheny County Well being Division is conducting black-legged tick sweeps within the Metropolis parks and to date they’re discovering numerous them.
At Pennsylvania’s Tick Analysis Lab — which relies at East Stroudsburg College with examine places everywhere in the state — specialists say they’re monitoring considerably extra ticks this spring.
The Tick Lab recorded roughly two and a half occasions extra ticks this Could in comparison with the identical time final yr.
— WESA: Pennsylvania researchers see tick inhabitants and associated illnesses ticking up
Spring and summer time are the best time of yr to get Lyme illness.
Don’t turn into a Lyme illness statistic. Spray your garments with Permethrin insect repellent. It’s not too late for Spray Your Garments Day.
In my expertise carrying lengthy pants, lengthy sleeves, and socks sprayed with Permethrin is way safer from ticks than should you use insect repellent in your pores and skin.
