Centre named a hot spot for deer tick virus. What to know about spring pests in PA

April showers will bring more than just flowers this year as early season rains will cause larger insect numbers throughout the U.S., according to the National Pest Prevention Association.

Pennsylvania will see a larger tick population this year due to a more mild winter, said Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the organization.

Centre County was recently named a hot spot for ticks carrying the deer tick virus. More than 80% of ticks tested at Fisherman’s Paradise near Bellefonte carried DTV, PennLive reported.

The disease can be transferred withing 15 minutes of a tick bite, unlike Lyme disease which can take 24 hours or more.

DTV is a dangerous and serious virus with initial symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. Of those with a severe case of the disease, nearly 12% of people die. Survivors can suffer from long-term health impacts.

How to protect yourself and your home from ticks

There are no vaccines or medicines to treat or prevent DVT or other Powassan tick viruses, so prevention is key. The best way to keep yourself safe from ticks when spending time outdoors is to wear repellent and long clothes, then shower after being outside.

“Carefully read the label on the repellent, something that has 20 percent DEET is definitely going to be effective,” Fredericks said. “What you want to look for on the label is an EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) registration number and you want to see that it is designed specifically for ticks.”

People who have densely wooded backyards should also consider getting the area professionally sprayed to reduce tick populations, Fredericks said. Ticks prefer grassy, wooded areas over manicured suburban lawns.

If you find a tick, there are several steps to safely remove it and decide if the person needs medical attention.

• Clear away or pull back any hair around the site.

• Use fine-point tweezers to pull the tick by the head.

• Pull straight back until the head is removed, making sure not to twist the head.

• Afterward, wrap the tick in a tissue and dispose of it in a lidded garbage can or flush it down the toilet.

• Wash hands and bite area with warm, soapy water.

• Contact a doctor if fever or rash develops.

Tick Research Labs of Pennsylvania allows Pennsylvania residents to send in ticks for basic testing, including the Powassan virus test.

How to prevent contact with mosquitoes and termites

A rise in temperatures and early rains will also cause a rise in mosquitoes and termites in Pennsylvania this year.

To keep mosquitoes from breeding in your yard, make sure to get rid of any standing water after rainfall. Fredericks said to check gutters, children’s toys and lawn furniture to dump any standing water. Water features like birdbaths should also be cleaned regularly.

“Any place where water can stand for more than a week is a place that mosquitoes can breed,” Fredericks said.

Another big insect problem for homeowners is termites, which cause more than $5 billion in property damage a year, Fredericks said.

Termites swarm starting in the spring, and homeowners should look for mud tubes along the sides of the house, as well as pinprick holes in paint or wallpaper.

Termites cannot be easily taken care of and require professional extermination, Fredericks said.

PestWorld has a website for homeowners to search for pest control experts in their area.

This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 12:08 PM.