Species shift, the alterations in the geographical distribution of plant and animal species over time (1), requires planning and adjusting while working within the environment. One of the species that is getting a lot of attention at JCWC at the moment is ticks. Although ticks are in the region, their low abundance in the watershed has helped to keep them mostly under the radar, until recently. Last year, staff found a number of ticks during a site visit – or more accurately, ticks found staff. The hopes of this being a one off was dashed this year during the outdoor portion of our Dragonfly Orientation.
As any good, stubborn lover of the environment, we are moving forward with a plan to keep working in the outdoors. Having a plan can help to reduce interactions with ticks, lower the risk of bites, and know what to do if bitten. The CDC offers advice (2) on where you can expect ticks, how to lower interaction, and what to do if you are bit by a tick (3). At the Council, we are recommending volunteers:
- Avoid heavy tick areas if possible – long grass, wooded areas, thick brush
- Dress for prevention – wear light colored long pants and sleeves, tuck pants into socks, tie up long hair, use FDA approved repellant at your comfort level
- After being outdoors – use a sticky roller on clothes, comb hair, change shoes – shake out at site or put in sealed bag, shower within 2 hrs, get in the habit of doing a daily, full body tick check, put clothes in a dryer for 10 minutes
- If Bit – use tweezers or a tick key to properly remove a tick, store in a jar with a tight lid, contact your doctor if you feel unwell
We can’t predict the long term residency of ticks in the watershed, but being prepared can help us be comfortable in the outdoors. Be prepared, stay safe!
- https://climate.sustainability-directory.com/term/species-range-shifts/#:~:text=Species%20Range%20Shifts%2C%20at%20their,novel%20occurrence%20in%20Earth’s%20history.
- https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/after-a-tick-bite/index.html#:~:text=Grasp%20the%20tick%20close%20to,and%20remain%20in%20the%20skin.
