In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are reminding residents that ticks can still be active in your yard even in the fall season! Although we often associate ticks with the warmer spring and summer months, the cooler fall weather does not mean ticks are gone for the year.

Some ticks are more active in the autumn. Adult blacklegged ticks (also called deer ticks) can be found in October and November looking for an animal on which to feed. The bite of a blacklegged tick can cause Lyme disease and other lesser-known tick-borne diseases (such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and deer tick virus) that can make people and animals sick.

Ticks thrive in moist, shaded environments, and leaf piles offer the perfect hiding spots for these tiny creatures.

Take these precautions during your fall cleanup:

• Wear long pants, long socks, and long-sleeved shirts to reduce ticks' access to your skin and reduce your risk of being bitten.
• Use insect repellent that has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency; this can be found on the label. Always follow label instructions when using insect repellent. You can also wear permethrin-treated clothing.
• After being outdoors, scan for ticks. Ticks can attach anywhere on the body, but they prefer more covered or enclosed areas, such as in the hair, under the arms, along the waistband, and between the legs.

If you find a tick on yourself or a family member, our Environmental Health Office can send the tick out to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for identification and testing for common tick-borne illnesses. This is done as a public service free of charge. Call Environmental Health Office at 203-630-4226 for submission instructions; staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.