An insect that can be an annoyance but can also give people real health issues is still prevalent during the summer and early fall months.

Greene County Public Health Director Shelby Cooklin says be on the lookout for ticks in any wooded or leafy areas and in tall grasses. She explains that the common American Dog Tick and the Deer Tick like to hide in the warm and moist areas of a body, which includes behind the knees, under the arms, the waistline and the scalp and/or hairline. Cooklin describes how to remove a tick if you see one.

“You should use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure, (and) avoiding twisting or crushing the tick. Once removed, you can clean the area with soap and water, or rubbing alcohol and then dispose of the tick by sealing it in a bag or flushing it down the toilet.” 

Cooklin advises that a tick bite can resemble a mosquito bite as a reddish colored bump, but if it turns into a bullseye target type rash or if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, contact your healthcare provider immediately. She recommends to prevent a tick bite by wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants, as well as using insect repellent with DEET and doing thorough checks after you leave an area. Cooklin adds that ticks can carry a life-threatening illness called Lyme Disease, but those are in rare cases.