As tick and mosquito season gets underway, the Dedham Board of Health encourages residents to stay informed and take steps to protect themselves and their families from tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses. By working together and following simple prevention measures, we can help keep our community healthy and safe throughout the warmer months.
Tick Season is Here
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease occurs when an infected blacklegged tick bites a human. The bacteria can cause a wide range of symptoms so it's best to see a doctor if you begin to experience symptoms.
Symptoms include:
- 3-30 days post bite: Rash, fever, headache, extreme tiredness, muscle/joint pain
- 3-10 weeks post bite: Weakness in face, hands, or feet, vision loss, irregular heartbeats
- 2-12 months post bite: Arthritis, acrodermatitis chronic atrophicans
Lonestar Ticks
Why are we hearing about them?
Typically these ticks are primarily found in southern states, but due to shifting climate, they have expanded their range and have recently been found in Massachusetts. The bite of a Lone Star tick can cause Alpha-gal Syndrome, a tick acquired red meat allergy.
What’s the risk?
Lone star ticks are still relatively uncommon in our area. So the risk of being bit by these ticks is low. Locally we are very familiar with ticks and their risk. While Lone Star ticks do carry different illness, the best way to prevent a bite is the same as any other tick. So the best thing you can do is keep up your tick bite prevention routines. If you don't have a routine, see the resources for information on how to create one!
Where are ticks found?
Ticks like to hide in shady, moist, ground-level areas. However, they can also be found on tall grasses, brush, and shrubs, especially around wooded areas and old stone walls.
How do you prevent ticks?
- Treat clothes with permethrin
- Wear long pants and shirts
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- Put clothing in the dryer for 10 mins on high heat upon return
- Wear light colored clothes
- Check your entire body for ticks
- Take a shower within 2 hours of coming inside
- Check your pets for ticks
- Walk in the center of the trail
- Examine gear for ticks
How do you remove ticks safely?
Using clean, fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull up with steady, even pressure. Do NOT twist or jerk, this can cause part of the tick to break off and remain in your skin. Use tweezers to remove any parts of the tick still in the skin.
Mosquitos
The Norfolk County Mosquito Control District provides various services to the Town for mosquito treatment and prevention.
The District provides the following services to Dedham:
- Weekly mosquito sampling between June - October
- Waterway management to eliminate stagnant water conditions conducive to larval mosquito development.
- Catch basin treatment
- Tire removal
- Weekly spraying (on Wednesdays Memorial Day - September)
From Your Board Health,
Bernadette Chirokas, Chair Emma Reidy, Vice-Chair Jessica Paulus, Member
