For Long Island residents, ticks are a part of life. Often found in wooded areas and tall grass, ticks present more than just a nuisance to you and your family, but potentially life-threatening illnesses. There are several tick-borne illnesses, the most common one being Lyme disease.
Lyme disease causes fever, headache, and fatigue. If it goes untreated for too long, Lyme disease can cause infection to spread into the joints, nervous system, or even the heart. Approximately 35,000 people in the United States contract Lyme disease annually, averaging nearly 100 cases daily. And that’s only one of the tick-borne illnesses. Another potentially deadly tick-borne illness of note is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
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The dangers of tick bites are well known to East End residents. If a tick bites you, you’re wise to be concerned about contracting a tick-borne illness. But does it matter what kind of tick has bitten you? A tick is a tick, and they’re all bad, right? Actually, no. While most ticks carry pathogens, different types of ticks cause various illnesses, and some are far more dangerous to humans than others. It’s important to know what kind of tick has bitten you so you can understand what health consequences you may experience and what symptoms to look for. 
First identified in rural Connecticut in 1975, Lyme disease has been the subject of conjecture and controversy for nearly half a century. Because many of its symptoms mimic other diseases, and research on its long-term effects is still ongoing, Lyme disease has many myths and misconceptions. 
Sometimes, we believe that just because we weren’t aware of something previously, it must be new. Many people feel that way about Lyme disease.
In 2021, the United States 
While you are taking steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from ticks, the 
While spring might not officially be here yet, it’s not too early to start checking for ticks. Conventional wisdom tells us that cold winter and lots of snow help kill off insects, including ticks. So it feels like we should be safe from the little critters as the snow melts and we start to see warmer temperatures, and sadly, that’s not necessarily the case.
Autumn and winter are times for fall festivals and other outdoor events. From skiing, ice fishing, and other winter sports, it is a time of many outdoor entertainment options. Along with spending time outdoors comes the risk of exposure to ticks. But how bad is that risk? 
Lower New York and Long Island experienced a warm summer, with temperatures higher than 2020 and significant rainfall, with record rains in July alone. The combination means that the tick population will be especially active and thriving this fall and into early winter. Not only will the ticks emerge in increased quantities, but local area scientists have also made the unpleasant discovery that this year’s tick population carries noticeably higher percentages of dangerous diseases than in years past. Long Islanders must act quickly to safeguard themselves from this season’s rapidly emerging tick population. 
