In this episode we explore the creepiest, crawliest, grossest of arachnids, ticks. And no, we don’t feel bad calling them gross!
Tick-borne illnesses can wreak havoc on people’s lives and there is still so much we don’t know about them. On today’s episode, learn what we DO know about ticks in Florida, the diseases they may carry, and what to do to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from ticks.
New Episode from Naturally Florida
Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here) recently released a new episode about ticks and tickborne illnesses in Florida.
Check it out, below on Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode about singing insects, please consider sharing it with a friend.
You can find all the podcast platforms where Naturally Florida is published, submit feedback, or request future topics at www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com
Learn More:
- Florida-specific tick information: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/family-resources/ticks-and-disease/ (UF/IFAS) and https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/tick-and-insect-borne-diseases/index.html (FL Dept. of Health)
- The CDC has a wonderful tool to identify the best insect repellants for various activities. Scroll to the bottom of this page to learn, “How to choose the right insect repellent”: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you (CDC)
- More information on tick-borne diseases and where they are found: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html (CDC)
Call to Action:
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Learn about tick-bite prevention! That’s really our only Call to Action this month.
- Preventing Tick bites before going outdoors, and after: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html (CDC)
- Dog checks: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_pets.html (CDC)
Sources for the show:
- Reptile Host Associations of Ixodes Scapularis in Florida and Implications for Borrelia Spp. Ecology
- A Survey of Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens in Florida
- Facts About Wildlife Diseases Ehrlichiosis1
- Ticks and Tick-Borne Infections Complex Ecology, Agents, and Host Interactions
- Preventing Tick Bites
- Preventing Ticks in the Yard
- How Ticks Spread Disease
Learn about other episodes from Naturally Florida by Clicking Here.
University of Florida IFAS Extension is committed to diversity of people, thought and opinion, to inclusiveness and to equal opportunity.
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
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