5 Tick & Lyme Disease Myths Busted: What You Might Not Know Can Hurt You

Lyme disease in Minnesota is a growing problem. Along with that problem comes a lot of sharing of experiences and information on the Interwebs. We encourage you to always pay careful attention to the expertise level of your source. When in doubt, the CDC is the leading guide for current data about Lyme disease. You can also count on the Minnesota Department of Health Please take a quick look at the top 5 myths below:

Myth #1: Ticks Are Only Found in the Woods

Did you know that ticks like tall grass, small shrubs and shady spots along your wood piles, fences, retaining walls, and outbuildings? Risks for tick bites go wherever deer and mice go, and ticks love shady, damp areas. This makes it vital for you to keep your lawn trimmed low, and the areas surrounding your wood piles and walls clear of debris where they can hide.

Myth #2: You Can Feel a Tick Bite

Ticks that carry disease can be very tiny. Think of a poppy seed biting you. Would you notice? Not only that, because they stay attached for several days to get a full blood-meal, ticks secrete a pain killer in their saliva to help them go unnoticed. Sneaky! This fact makes checking for ticks an extremely important step in Lyme prevention.

Myth #3: Ticks Are a Summer Pest

Ticks can be just as pesky in the fall and early winter as they can be in summer. As long as they are not buried under snow, adult ticks can be hunting for their last blood meal before laying eggs. And with hunting season in Minnesota, it is a great opportunity for them to find you.

Myth #4: All Lyme Disease Cases Have a Bullseye Rash

The verdict is still out on what percentage of those infected with Lyme disease actually get a bulls-eye rash. Many times, the bulls-eye rash could simply be going unnoticed. The CDC sites that 70-80% get a rash, but with ticks hiding in discrete places, you may have one and not ever notice it.

Myth #5: Lyme Disease Can Be Sexually Transmitted

The CDC has found no evidence that Lyme can be transferred from person to person by touch, sex, kissing or other close encounters. It can, however, be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her fetus. There has been no Lyme disease linked to a blood transfusion, but because it can survive in blood, it is recommended that you do NOT donate blood if you have Lyme disease.

For tick prevention in your yard, follow the Cs of tick control and call us at Mosquito Squad of the Twin Cities. We offer tick control treatments and tick tubes for immediate and long-term tick control on your property.