Webinars to educate about ticks

UNIVERSITY PARK » With Pennsylvania ranked number one in the nation for confirmed Lyme Disease cases, an ongoing Penn State 10-part webinar series on ticks and disease prevention answers many of the most common asked questions.

Symptoms can be pretty stark and may range from a simple itchy bump to chronic Lyme disease, according to Erika Machtinger, PSU assistant professor and veterinary entomologist.

There are several ways to avoid ticks and the vector-borne diseases they carry.

Perform a tick check at the arm

pits, belly button, soft areas, behind the ear and at the hairline.

Also, shower after going outdoors.

Wear long pants and long sleeves.

Use Deet repellent or add permethrin to clothing.

If you remove a tick, best to do it with tweezers, and then freeze it so it can be

tested for pathogens.

Each webinar is one hour and will take place at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the scheduled dates. The webinars, which will be recorded for later viewing, include ample time for moderated question and answer sessions.

To register, visit http:// extension.psu.edu/tick-webinars.

Dates and topics are as follows:

• July 9: “Vector-borne Disease Basics.”

• July 16: “Ticks of Pennsylvania.”

• July 23: “Protecting Pets from Tick-borne Diseases.”

• July 30: “Tick Biology.”

• Aug. 6: “Tick Protection Around the Home.”

• Aug. 13: “Protecting Yourself from Tick Bites.”

• Aug. 27: “Lyme Disease and Other Tick-borne Diseases in Pennsylvania.”

• Sept. 3: “Tick Risks for Pennsylvania Cattle.”

• Sept. 10: “Protecting Your Horses from Tick Bites.”

• Sept. 17: “Hunters and Vector-borne Diseases: A Tick-ing Time Bomb.”

“Education on vectorborne diseases is an incredibly powerful tool to help protect people and animals,” Machtinger said. “Understanding the tools that you need to have in your toolbox to prevent tick and mosquito bites can reduce anxiety about being outdoors and make a difference in reducing vector-borne disease risk.”