How Extension offices help communities deal with ticks and diseases

By Andi Anderson

Ticks are small but dangerous creatures that can transmit various diseases to humans and animals. They are becoming more common in Illinois and the Midwest, and people who work or play outdoors are at higher risk of getting bitten.

That’s why the University of Illinois Extension offices are playing a vital role in helping communities learn how to avoid and handle tick bites. Extension offices are part of the university’s land-grant mission to share research-based information with the public. They offer programs and resources on topics such as health, safety, agriculture, and gardening.

A new study by a team of university scientists explored how Extension staff and volunteers are trained and equipped to provide tick prevention education. The study was led by Sulagna Chakraborty, a postdoctoral research associate in the department of veterinary clinical medicine, and Chris Evans, a forestry Extension and research specialist.

The study started with a survey of agriculture workers about their tick exposure and awareness. Then, the researchers assessed the knowledge and practices of Extension staff and volunteers before and after taking a course on tick identification, diseases, and prevention.

The results showed that the course improved the knowledge and confidence of Extension staff and volunteers, who are often the primary source of information about ticks in rural communities and for farmers. The course training videos are also available online for anyone to watch.

The study highlights the importance of Extension offices in providing tick prevention education and the need for more research and awareness on tickborne diseases in Illinois. Some of the diseases that ticks can transmit are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy.

Here are some tips on how to prevent and care for tick bites:

• Wear light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors in tall grass or wooded areas. Tuck pant legs into boots.
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin. Spray clothes and gear with permethrin, a product that repels ticks.
• Inspect yourself thoroughly after time outdoors for ticks.
• Mow tall grasses, conduct controlled burns, and remove invasive species to remove tick habitats.
• Use appropriate tick repellant for pets and companion animals and check them for ticks. Livestock should also be regularly checked for ticks and consult with a veterinarian about anti-tick repellants.
• If bitten by a tick, use tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and remove it. Wash the area with disinfectant.
• Take a photo of the tick and store it in a container in the freezer.
• Contact your local Extension office for help with identification and more information.
• Follow up with a physician if symptoms of tickborne disease occur.

For more information about ticks and tickborne diseases, visit the I-TICK and Illinois Department of Public Health websites

Photo Credit: gettyimages-erikkarits