Results: Are seed ticks putting your family in danger
Published on 05/20/2017
You’ve seen them before. The size of a grain of sand and moving around looking for skin to bite. You encounter them while you’re walking through thick grass or brush. They are so small you could classify them as baby ticks or seed ticks.
QUESTIONS
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1.
1.
ABC News' Jesse Palmer reports on the risks of seed ticks and the Powassan virus, as experts are warning families to be on high alert this season. Are you familiar with this story?
Yes
20%
314 votes
No
80%
1238 votes
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2.
Have you (or a family member) ever been infected with the Powassan virus?
Yes
6%
98 votes
No
94%
1454 votes
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Seed Tick Bites: Yes, they can bite you. In northern New England we regularly encounter these masses of "seed" ticks (winter tick species) attaching themselves to clothing while hiking through grasses or brushy areas in the fall. These masses often end up on moose (who don't groom each other) and suck blood from the poor animal throughout the entire winter. Seed ticks can be found on mice also. Have you ever been bitten by a seed tick(s)?
Yes
10%
152 votes
No
90%
1400 votes
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How Do They All Become Attached: A tick has a number of growth stages including egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Those in the nymph stage can also be called seed ticks because they resemble small seeds. Eggs hatch into larvae know as "seed ticks". Larval stage ticks only have 6 legs. These larvae remain close to the emergence site and climb up on grass and low vegetation so they may attach themselves to small animals which pass by (mouse, squirrel, rabbit, and bird). When a host brushes against one of them it will attach itself. As it does the rest will follow. Sort of like a chain of monkeys. That my friends is how, in the blink of an eye, you end up with 300 of these nasty critters running around like crazy on your clothing. In fact, seeds ticks are so small they are often mistaken for dirt (think of a poppy seed size). Do you have a problem with seed ticks (or ticks) in the area where you live?
Yes
19%
295 votes
No
81%
1257 votes
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How To Prevent Seed Ticks. What facts are you familiar with?
Avoid walking through brushy habitat (particularly where timber harvesting occurred within the last 3-10 years). Avoid habitat with knee high grass.
30%
462 votes
Dress Properly (this cannot be stressed enough). Wear clothing with with Permethrin. When they get on your clothing, the Permethrin will kill them quickly.
23%
354 votes
Use tick repellent (bug) spray while outdoors.
31%
487 votes
Remove them immediately (when you see them on your clothing). The most efficient way is to use rolled duct tape.
23%
363 votes
Shower within 2 hours from being outdoors.
18%
283 votes
If an adult tick attaches: pull out a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up with steady pressure. Then thoroughly clean the bite (and your hands) with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
25%
390 votes
To get rid of the pests (adult ticks), put them in a sealed bag or container, or just flush them down the toilet. Of course, if you develop a rash or fever soon afterwards, go to the doctor straight away.
17%
268 votes
All of the above.
16%
255 votes
N/A or I am unfamiliar with all of these facts.
39%
611 votes
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