TICKS SUCK: This year, the ticks seem to be everywhere, not just in the woods. Just going to take the dog out in the yard has been a challenge for some in this area as the tick population seems to have exploded.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are some simple landscaping techniques that can help reduce black-legged tick populations:

Remove leaf litter.

Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.

Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.

Mow the lawn frequently.

Stack wood neatly and in a dry area (discourages rodents).

Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees.

Discourage unwelcome animals (such as deer, raccoons, and stray dogs) from entering your yard by constructing fences.

Remove old furniture, mattresses, or trash from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.

Black-legged ticks are also called deer ticks and are one of six common types in Pennsylvania. Ticks vary in size, color and have distinguishing characteristics. Ticklab.org breaks down each one and has more information about where they are most likely to be found in the area.

This is important information because ticks spread bacterial infection — Lyme Disease in particular — in humans and pets.

Symptoms, according to the CDC, “Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods.”