Spring and outdoor activities go hand-in-hand so it’s important to be aware of the accompanying risk of tick bites. Deer ticks, which are not insects but are related to spiders, are attracted to people and can spread disease. Adult ticks, which are about the size of an apple seed, become active as soon as the snow melts. The next generation, the nymphs, are much smaller – about the size of a poppy seed – and emerge in mid-April.

Ticks can act as vectors, or carriers, of various diseases including Lyme disease, which can cause arthritis or neurological problems if untreated. The diagnostic sign of Lyme disease is a spreading red rash; unfortunately this does not occur in all cases. A less common disease carried by ticks is babesiosis, which is characterized by fever and anemia. Other diseases, such as ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, are occasionally seen in deer ticks in Greenwich.

The best defense against these diseases is to prevent tick bites. The use of insecticide and avoiding tick habitats (damp, shady areas) will reduce exposure to ticks. (The Center for Integrative Medicine suggests using insect repellants whenever possible.)

Frequent inspection and early removal of attached ticks will reduce the incidence of disease. The Greenwich Department of Health Laboratory offers tick identification services. Place the tick in a small plastic bag and bring it to the lab, located in the Town Hall on 101 Field Point Road in Greenwich. The lab is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8am-3pm. The lab is also able to test ticks for the organisms that cause Lyme disease and babesiosis, which can assist physicians in deciding treatment options. There is a fee for this service. Referrals to laboratories that test ticks for other diseases are available. The laboratory may be contacted at 203-622-7843.