Tick season arrives early in Central New York as experts urge precautions - WSTM

Tick season is off to an early and active start across Central New York — and experts note rising outdoor activity is only increasing the risk of exposure. “This year is a very high year, and there’s a lot of factors contributing to that," said Brian Leydet, a professor at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Experts said a snowy winter played a key role in the spike — insulating ticks under snowpack and helping more of them survive into the spring. That survival boost — combined with other ecological factors — has created what researchers call a “perfect storm” for tick populations across the region. Several tick species are present in Central New York — but experts note the most concerning is the black-legged tick — which spreads Lyme disease. To monitor activity, researchers use a “tick drag,” a method where a cloth is pulled through grass and brush to collect ticks waiting to latch onto a host. As more people head outdoors for hiking, camping and other activities, experts say prevention is key. That includes using EPA-recommended repellents such as DEET or permethrin-treated clothing to reduce the risk of bites. If a tick does attach — experts say quick, proper removal is critical. Using fine-tipped tweezers, the tick should be grasped as close to the skin as possible and pulled straight upward. They also recommend saving the tick in a sealed plastic bag and freezing it in case testing is needed later. Health experts stress the importance of doing full-body tick checks after spending time outdoors — noting that some ticks can be as small as a poppy seed and easy to miss. While tick bites are preventable — experts urge people to watch for symptoms and contact a health care provider if concerns arise following exposure.