Highland Council is urging people who spend time in the outdoors to take “simple precautions” against being bitten by ticks and is offering free tick removal tools within the region. Over the last 10 years the insects have been linked to a rise in Lyme disease.
Tick (photo: MCofS)
Highland Council’s tick project co-ordinator Bob Murdoch said he knew of people who had fallen ill because of Lyme disease. He said: “I feel it vital that we raise awareness of the issues surrounding ticks. Increasingly, more people are aware of someone among friends or family who has been bitten or affected by ticks. This is a widespread issue across the country and we should all take simple precautions like avoiding walking though long grass with bare legs or arms in the tick season of May to September.”
The Council also says that people going out walking in areas where there are likely to be ticks should tuck trousers into socks and undertake a thorough inspection for ticks once back home. The Council also advocates keeping a tick removing tool to hand and is offering these free to people living in the Highland Council area.
If left untreated tick bites, from the estimated 1 in 10 ticks that carry Lyme Disease, can result in neurological problems and joint pain months or years later.
If you live in the Highland Council area you can claim your free tick removal tool and leaflet about preventing Lyme Disease send a stamped addressed envelope to:
Tooled up for tick time
Environmental Health
Community Services
The Highland Council
Town House, High Street
Inverness
IV1 1JJ
You can also download the information leaflet from the Council website.