Tick ​​season 2021: when are ticks active?

A tick bite can have serious health consequences, so you should always protect yourself from the arachnids. When ticks are active depends directly on the current temperature. Read here which tick season can be expected in 2021.

Beginning of the tick season

The period from April to October is a rough guide for the tick season. In 2021, the tick season could start much earlier due to the mild temperatures. Ticks are usually active from a temperature of 7 ° C. They are insensitive to frost and snow and can simply go into hibernation again as soon as there is a drop in temperature.

One problem with tick season is that it starts earlier and earlier due to global warming. For a few years now, tick bites have been found increasingly in March. In February 2021, it was so warm in some regions in February that many ticks dared to leave their hiding places.

Winter tick active early

The alluvial forest tick (Dermacentor reticulatus), also known as the winter tick, is active even earlier. From a temperature of 4 ° C, it actively searches for a host. It is conditionally dangerous for humans, as it primarily looks for pets or wild animals as hosts. In rare cases, so-called Q fever can be transmitted to humans, which is usually harmless, but in rare cases can also cause inflammatory diseases.

Characteristics of the winter tick

• up to 16 mm in size
• white marbled back label
• red-orange outer edge
• Back shield in females only in the front third of the body

Note: If you get bitten by a tick, do not dispose of the animal. Keep the killed tick between two adhesive strips, because in the event of illness the arachnid can still provide valuable information during an examination.

High season of ticks

It is dangerous for humans Common wooden trestle (Ixodes ricinus), whose purpose in life is to wait for hosts. The tick lives on average for 2 to 3 years and is mainly active in spring and autumn. During these months, the conditions are ideal for her because she likes moderate temperatures and humidity.

However, it cannot be ruled out that a tick will bite you in summer too. The tick season usually starts again when, after a long period of warmth, a rain shower provides cooling and more moderate temperatures. Then it is particularly important to protect yourself from the arachnids. Often times, simple preparations are effective in preventing stitches.

Tips to avoid tick bites

• wear light colored clothing
• wear long clothes
• Tuck your trouser legs into your socks

Vaccinations for risk areas

2021 could lead to an early start to the tick season due to the warm temperatures. Experts are now advising to prepare for the tick season with a vaccination. Especially those who live in so-called risk regions or are planning a vacation should get vaccinated. The vaccination protects against the particularly dangerous disease early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE), but not against other diseases such as Lyme disease, which are also transmitted by ticks. However, Lyme disease can be treated very well with medication.

Note: The risk of infection varies from region to region. The probability of disease transmission is particularly high in the areas from central Germany to the south.

End of the tick season

Not only is the start of the tick season earlier and earlier, but the end of the danger is also pushed back further and further. When the arachnids go into hibernation depends on the approaching frost. If the temperatures drop in mid-October in 2021, the tick season can end early.

Note: More and more often the tick season goes well into November and sometimes even into December. However, the risk is somewhat reduced as the vegetation is rather low, which makes it more difficult for the ticks to get to their hosts.

Pets are usually an indication of whether ticks are active. You can reach the arachnids more easily. If animals move outdoors, you should therefore carry out a check afterwards. This also reduces the risk of transmission to humans, because a tick looks for a new host for each stage of development.

Examine animals for ticks:

• Palpate your legs and stomach
• Control between the toes
• Control around the ears and muzzle

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