No Need To Avoid Nature To Avoid Ticks

(Undated) -- Concerns about ticks and the diseases they carry should not stop Illinoisans from getting out and enjoying nature this summer. Experts say with the right precautions, the chances of being bitten are slim. Entomologist at the Illinois Department of Health, Linn Haramis, has some tips for when you are out exploring in wooded areas: wear a long sleeve shirt and long pants with the pant legs tucked in; use an insect repellent. And he says there are some areas outside to avoid. After being outdoors, Haramis says it’s important to check for ticks on yourself and others. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It’s estimated that nearly 500 people in Illinois were impacted by tick diseases in 2013.