Early and Proper Removal of Ticks is Key to Your Safety

The tick population in New York State is exploding. Each year, the volume and severity of tick-borne illnesses seem to increase. Tick bites are very common in New York.

Often, these bites result in minor nuisance symptoms. Unfortunately, tick bites can also result in a fatal illness. There are approximately 30 species of ticks in New York. Of those, about 10 commonly bite people and only four species can cause a serious illness that can result in death.

Sadly, the three most common ticks in New York (Deer a.k.a Black-legged Tick, the Dog Tick, and the Lone Star Tick) can carry bacteria or viruses that can cause a fatal illness. The less common Woodchuck (Groundhog Tick) can also cause a life-threatening illness.

Employers should be spreading awareness, providing training, ensuring proper attire, and providing effective repellants. Tick bites are OSHA and PESH recordable incidents and must be recorded in the annual report of occupational injuries and illnesses.

1. Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or on animals.
2. Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.
3. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, and socks products containing 0.5% permethrin.
4. Check for ticks after outdoor activity, especially under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and on the hairline and scalp.
5. Keep ticks away from exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, with tight cuffs at the wrists and ankles.
6. Tuck pants into socks or use double-sided tape.
7. Wear light-colored clothing to be able to see ticks more easily.