Higher number of ticks expected for 2017

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Ticks are here and they don’t plan on leaving soon.

Local pest control expert expects a higher number of ticks this year.

“When you have a cold winter it kills all the pest. Not having such a cold winter means we expect them to be more prevalent here,” said Ben Dupree, from Arrow Exterminators.

Dupree said he received many phone calls about ticks for the month of May.

“What they do is hang on that grass, stick their arm out there, they’ve got like a claw in their arm,and they just sit there for someone to walk by and then they latch onto you,” Dupree said.

Michael Hokanson from the North Central Health District said you can prevent ticks from being in your yard.

“One of the easiest things you can do is make sure your property isn’t a good tick habitat. You can clean up those areas with high grass and brush,” he said.

If a tick bites you, Hokanson said you should get a pair of tweezers, get close to the base of your skin, grab the tick, and then pull the tick out gently.

“Never try and crush the tick because that also exposes you to any blood they may have inside them or any other bacteria or diseases,” Hokanson said.

He said ticks like to hide on specific parts of someone’s body.

“You want to check under the arms, between the legs, around the waist, the ears, behind the ears, and especially kids’ hair,” Hokanson said.

According to Hokanson, the North Central Health District saw more reports of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the past five years, compared to other tick borne illnesses.

Hokanson said the health district expects to also see the fever for 2017.

He said residents should use bug repellent with DEET to prevent getting bitten by ticks.

Dupree said pets can bring ticks inside the house.

“Wash them with tick and flea soap whenever possible and try to check them daily cause they’re outside and that’s where the fleas and ticks mainly hang out,” Dupree said.

If you find ticks in your backyard, Dupree says an exterminator can get rid of them.