Mild winters could lead to lots of ticks

St. Joseph News Press

After the overall mild winters of the past few years, ticks will again be heavy in the woods and fields of Missouri.

It takes at least a solid week of below freezing temperatures to kill off ticks. Many myths and home remedies are out there to remove ticks and keep you from getting sick from the bite.

But Sue Lober, a Red Cross health and safety director, says to be careful with home remedies.

"Most all are more harmful than good," Lober said.

The myth about burning the tick off with a match usually burns the bite victim and doesn't draw the tick out.

"Putting Vaseline on them to smother them out doesn't work either," Lober said. "The best way is to use a pair of fine-tip tweezers. Grab the tick firmly at the head and pull gently until it comes out."

A tick has to be embedded on a person for 24 hours before it can start feeding and transmit any disease, such as Lyme, Lober said. The tick secretes a cement-like material that carries disease, and it takes 24 hours from the time the tick bites its carrier for that secretion to spread.

Deet actually harms more people from misuse than ticks themselves, health officials say. Deet should be applied only to clothing and by an adult.

"Never apply repellant to a kid's hands. They may put them in their eyes or mouth," Lober said.

To apply repellant to the face, put it on your hand, then rub it on the face, avoiding the lips and eyes. Lober advises the use of "Off" or other similar brands.

Wearing light-colored clothing also helps keep ticks away. They are attracted to darker tones, like brown and black -- the colors of the animals they feed upon. Also, wear long sleeves and long pants. Putting your pant legs under your socks will help keep ticks from reaching skin.

If you're outdoors for several hours, whether for camping or an all-day hiking, fishing or bird-watching trip, health officials say to check hairlines, legs, arms and underarms for ticks throughout the day.