Garrett County Health Department Reminds Residents and Visitors of Fall Adult Tick Prevalence and Announces Updated Online Resources

The Garrett County Health Department alerts residents and visitors to increased activity of adult Blacklegged Ticks, the main vector for Lyme disease, as fall arrives. Like most ticks, the Black Legged tick goes through several life stages that emerge at different times throughout the year.

While most cases of Lyme Disease can be linked to the nymph life stage because of its very small size, adult Blacklegged Ticks collected in Garrett County are twice as likely to test positive for the Lyme Disease bacteria. Prompt tick removal is crucial to prevent disease transmission.

Female adults are reddish-orange with a black shield; males are all black or dark brown. Ticks favor damp, dense vegetation, even in backyards.

Stay Safe:

• Check Thoroughly: Inspect yourself, children, and pets after outdoor activities.
• Remove Properly: Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks close to the skin with steady upward pressure.
• Use Repellent: Apply EPA-approved repellents (DEET, picaridin, etc.).
• Yard Maintenance: Keep lawns mowed and clear brush and leaf litter around homes.

For more information, visit the recently updated online resources at https://garretthealth.org/ticks.

Shared by Melinda Smith-Pritt, Environmental Health Specialist, from the Garrett County Health Department’s
Environmental Health Services Unit.