Ticks are active any time the temperature is above 45 degrees. Not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Ticks that carry the disease transmit to humans after 36 hours of attachment according to Hudson Valley Family. Symptoms of Lyme disease (headaches, bull’s eye or solid patch rash, nervous system problems) may appear as early as 3 days after the bite of an infected tick to weeks or longer. Watch video on how to remove a tick:

According to the Albany County Department of Health, when trying to remove the tick:

• DO NOT touch the tick with your bare hands.
• DO NOT squeeze the body of the tick as this may increase your risk of infection.
• DO NOT put alcohol, nail polish remover or Vaseline on the tick.
• DO NOT put a hot match or cigarette on the tick in an effort to make it "back out."
• DO NOT use your fingers to remove the tick.

These methods do not work and only increase the likelihood the tick will transmit Lyme Disease to you. Applying alcohol, nail polish remover, or a hot match can irritate a tick and cause it to regurgitate its stomach contents into your skin. The stomach contents of a tick can contain the Lyme disease-causing bacterium.

While removing a tick, if the tick's mouthparts break off and remain in your skin, don't worry. The mouthparts alone cannot transmit Lyme disease, because the infective body of the tick is no longer attached. The mouthparts can be left alone. They will dry up and fall out by themselves in a few days, or you can remove them as you would a splinter.

After cleaning the area, watch the site of the bite for the appearance of a rash 3 to 30 days after the bite. The rash will usually be at least 2 ½ inches in diameter initially and will gradually expand to several inches in size. Rashes smaller than the size of a quarter are usually a reaction to the bite itself and do not mean you have Lyme disease. You should check with your doctor as well.

Living in and around the Capital Region it is inevitable you will be outside. Thomas Pest Services offers a great service, to reduce mosquitoes and ticks from affecting you and your family. Unfortunately, keeping mosquitoes or ticks off your property is nearly impossible, but Thomas Pest Services can help reduce you and your families’ risk. If you live in Guilderland or elsewhere in the Capital Region and need assistance getting rid of mosquitoes or ticks, fill out our contact form today for a free estimate!