Anyone in tick-infested areas, including Long Island, should be worried about catching Lyme Disease. Lyme disease emerges as the top tick-borne disease diagnosed in New Yorkers, with anaplasmosis and babesiosis also prevalent (but to a lesser extent).

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection initiated by the bite of an infected tick. It is characterized primarily by leaving a distinct circular red rash, like a bullseye. This condition is predominantly observed in the upper midwestern, northeastern, and mid-Atlantic states of the U.S. – and is the most common tick-borne illness.

However, not all tick species carry Lyme disease. In our region, deer ticks are notorious for harboring the bacteria responsible for this tick-borne illness. Transmission occurs when an infected tick finds a host, attaches itself, and bites the host, effectively passing the disease onto the host.

You can avoid places where ticks are, like tall grass, but it’s best to bring in professional pest control. Experts from Arrow Exterminating share their insights into the tick-borne disease Lyme Disease.

Recent Outbreaks of Lyme Disease

Since tick season starts in spring, there are definitely cases of Lyme Disease in 2024.

Recent public health data has shown a sharp increase in ER visits due to tick bites in the U.S. Northeast, rising to 69 visits per 100,000 ER visits overall in March 2024, a significant leap from the seven-year average of roughly 43 tick bites per 100,000 visits.

This early surge puts 2024 on track to exceed 2017’s peak of 332 tick-bite visits per 100,000 ER visits in May, marking a year of substantial tick-borne illness challenges.

“It only takes one bite from an infected tick to become seriously ill with debilitating symptoms, so we recommend that people practice some simple prevention measures to avoid being bitten and to protect their health,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has stated.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease include:

A characteristic skin rash (erythema migrans)
Fever
Headache
Fatigue

If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, leading to more severe health issues.

Why Lyme Disease Is on the Rise

Lyme Disease cases tend to rise in the spring every year. But in the last five years, cases have risen because of the increase in the deer tick population, which is attributed to warmer winters and increased deer populations that serve as hosts for the ticks. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), deer ticks thrive in areas with at least 85% humidity and are mostly active when temperatures are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, increasingly warmer temperatures result in increasing tick populations.

Health officials have reported a nearly 70% increase in Lyme disease cases across the U.S. in 2022, attributing this rise not to a surge in infections but to changes in reporting criteria. The year saw reports surpass 62,000, compared to an annual average of around 37,000 cases from 2017 to 2019, as noted by the CDC.

Adjustments in reporting practices in 2022 are expected to reveal a notable uptick in recent years in Lyme disease cases. These adjustments were made due to the shifted focus to reporting COVID-19 cases.

Lyme Disease in Long Island

In Long Island, deer ticks are responsible for spreading tick-borne diseases, including Lyme Disease.

Early treatment with antibiotics typically results in a quick and complete recovery from the infection, says the CDC. Even those treated during later stages generally respond positively to antibiotic treatment, though some may experience lasting effects on the nervous system or joints. Some of those infected may continue to experience symptoms like fatigue, pain, or joint and muscle aches following the conclusion of their two — to four-week antibiotic treatment regimen for Lyme disease.

Arrow Exterminating understands Long Island ticks and is well aware of the prevalence of Lyme Disease in the area. Our expertise allows us to effectively target and eliminate tick populations, reducing the risk of Lyme Disease.

The Best Way to Prevent Lyme Disease

It doesn’t hurt to try preventative measures like wearing the right clothing, avoiding tall grass, and carrying a tick remover – but calling in tick control professionals is the best way to prevent ticks and Lyme Disease. Ticks could be hiding out around your home, waiting for the right moment to attach to a host.

Arrow Exterminating is here to get rid of ticks around your home and help curb cases of Lyme Disease in Long Island. Our licensed professionals use the latest technology and methods to ensure your outdoor spaces are safe and tick-free.

Contact us today for a free service quote and take the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from Lyme Disease.