Spring has sprung and so have ticks — right onto the pants and socks of unsuspecting victims all over Delaware.

Dr. Ashley C. Kennedy said the state is sixth in the nation for incidences of Lyme disease and in the top 10 for Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

But that’s not all, she told farmers during the annual Delaware Ag Safety Conference in March at Loblolly Acres, Viola. The First State also ranks in the top five for ehrlichiosis, another disease caused by bacteria transmitted to humans and animals through bites by an infected tick.

Despite the large number of disease cases resulting from tick bites, Dr. Kennedy said tick literacy continues to be low, even among health care professionals.

“According to a 2017 study, only 38% of Delawareans feel that ticks are a problem,” she said. “Only 13% strongly agree that Lyme disease is a problem in Delaware.”

Lyme disease can cause temporary symptoms, such as a fever or a rash near the bite, and/or lifelong complications, like joint stiffness, muscle aches, neurological problems and cardiac concern. Early prevention and detection are key to avoiding the more severe symptoms.

“Protecting yourself from ticks and tick-borne illnesses really is about knowing the habits of ticks and how to detect a problem,” Dr. Kennedy said, adding that ticks can be found year-round in Delaware.

Tick prevention tips

• Stay on trails and away from tall vegetation.
• Conduct frequent tick checks after being in their habitat.
• Check hard-to-see spots, like inside the bellybutton, in and around the ears, between the legs, under the arms and in hair.
• Remove ticks promptly.
• Remember that some species can thrive in meadows, pastures, fields and even wetlands and lawns.

Tick detection and handling tips

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
• Pull upward with even pressure.
• Do not twist or jerk the tick. This can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
• After removal, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
• Save the tick for identification.
• Check for more ticks.

Tips for keeping an area free of ticks

• Remove invasive vegetation.
• Keep grass short.
• Remove leaf litter and brush piles.
• Reduce ground cover.
• Widen trails and create barrier strips.
• Trim branches to let in more sunlight.

When ticks are found, Dr. Kennedy said photos of them can be submitted to de.gov/ticks, and the insects can be identified by species and life stage to help the submitter evaluate risks and next steps. Ticks can also be mailed to the state for identification.

Some of the known species found in Delaware include the Lone Star tick, the Gulf Coast tick, the American dog tick, the rabbit tick, the groundhog tick, the squirrel tick and the brown dog tick.

For information, visit de.gov/ticks or email ashley.kennedy@delaware.gov.