Has anyone else noticed that the ticks are already active this year?

And it’s not just forest preserves or prairie-style parks — it isn’t uncommon to encounter them in your residential yard. You might see:

• Deer ticks: Also known as the black-legged tick, this is the species to be worried about in our region. It can spread Lyme Disease among other ailments. You can identify it by its smaller size and red-orange body with a black dot.

• Lone Star tick: We’re on the northern edge of their territory. Larger and do not carry Lyme Disease.

• American dog tick: Probably the most common around here. You can recognize them by their brown and red dotted bodies and elaborate shields. Also a “no” on Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

With the arrival of warmer weather and National Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to take precautions against ticks and the illnesses they can carry — especially Lyme disease.

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra advises checking for ticks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas and watching for symptoms like fever, fatigue, headaches or a circular rash. Removing ticks within 24 hours can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission.

In addition to Lyme disease, ticks in Illinois can carry other serious illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis. IDPH offers educational tools, including tick prevention guides for families and a Tick Surveillance Map showing where different tick species are found across the state.

Those traveling to higher-risk states like Wisconsin and Michigan should be extra cautious.

A growing issue

It’s all part of a larger trend of expansion. Experts have warned that tick season is getting longer in our area — largely due to warming winters.

What to do about tick bites: Here’s a simple guide for safe tick removal, when to call your healthcare provider and what symptoms to look for if you’re worried about diseases.

The Kane County Health Department has tick removal kits available for the public in limited supply at no charge in its lobby at 1240 N. Highland Avenue in Aurora.

📖 Thanks for reading

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