As of: March 2, 2024, 9:00 a.m
By: Melina Staar
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First, the ticks look for a suitable puncture site on the skin.
During this time they can be removed relatively easily.
© Marijan Murat/dpa
The mild winter ensures early tick activity.
In order not to run into danger, the right protection is very important.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen –
The warm, snow-free winter is particularly pleasing for little bloodsuckers: this year ticks are active early on.
Since there were already a lot of arachnids in 2023, this year could also be a strong year for ticks.
At the end of February, Robert Krebs from the Tölzer forestry operation of the Bavarian State Forests was out and about in the lowlands with his dog.
“Later I discovered a tick on him.” Rather unusual for this early time of year.
“So it could be a year for ticks this year due to the extremely warm winter.”
Risk of disease transmission
Ticks primarily reside in dense vegetation, in regeneration stands, on meadows or alpine meadows.
“Anything where you can take them off,” says Krebs.
The dangerous thing about ticks is that they can transmit diseases.
However, the state forestry employees are well prepared for the little animals.
Most people have been vaccinated against TBE meningitis, says Krebs.
There is no vaccination against Lyme disease, a bacterial disease.
“Technical protection” helps here.
What Krebs means by that: defense sprays that are sprayed on shoes and trouser legs.
“Some employees also wear gaiters with which they can fasten their pants from the bottom.” The spray is also used.
“This can prevent most infestations.” It is also important that employees check each other when they return.
“Then you sometimes find one or two ticks that are still walking around.” Because ticks usually spend quite a while looking for a puncture site.
Vaccination against TBE possible
In addition to the people, they also keep an eye on the hunting dogs, says Krebs.
“You can also get Lyme disease after a tick bite.” For animals – including cats – there are sprays or collars that keep ticks away.
Despite all the measures, it still happens that forestry employees are bitten by ticks.
“It can’t be prevented completely,” says Krebs.
In this case, the respective colleague can report this and it will be documented.
“If someone gets sick, it counts as an accident at work.” Last year, however, there were no more tick bites than before.
“Everything was within normal limits.”
The number of tick-borne diseases reported can give an indication of how strong a tick year is.
The health department at the Tölz district office keeps records of how many cases of TBE and Lyme disease occur in the district.
There were three cases of TBE in 2023, one more than in the previous year.
Since the number is greater than one, the district is considered a TBE risk area.
33 cases of Lyme disease were reported, in 2022 there were 25. “Borrelia can occur in all plant-covered areas,” said spokeswoman Marlis Peischer.
There is therefore no special classification into risk areas.
Tick species are usually active all year round
In addition to forestry employees, everyone who spends time in nature must pay particular attention to ticks.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the more contact you have with low vegetation, the greater the chance of catching a tick.
“This naturally applies particularly to children playing.
Anyone who walks through bushes away from the hiking trails also has an increased risk,” says the RKI.
The ticks become active at a temperature of around eight degrees.
Due to milder winters, they are now on the move more often almost all year round.
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If you notice flu-like symptoms 7 to 14 days after a tick bite, you should see a doctor.
However, TBE disease often has no symptoms.
In Lyme disease, a red ring of infection often forms around the puncture site.
Even then you should go to the doctor.
By the way, the name tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is confusing: Central European tick species are active all year round - except in very cold winters - and can therefore transmit diseases all year round.
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This is how you protect yourself from punctures
Sturdy shoes, long pants, and long sleeves make it difficult for the tick.
It's even better to tuck your trouser legs into your socks and wear light-colored clothing, because then you'll find the black animals more easily.
So-called repellents, i.e. chemical fragrances that ticks don't like, can also keep ticks away for a limited time.
Basically, you should check your body for ticks after spending time outdoors, including places such as your hairline, ears, neck, armpits, elbow, belly button, genital area or back of the knee.
Cats should also be checked for ticks and treated with appropriate repellents before they roam the meadows.
In contrast to Lyme disease, there is also a vaccination against TBE, which is recommended for people who are in risk areas.
The Robert Koch Institute advises that to minimize the risk of infection, the tick should be removed as soon as possible.
If possible, all parts of the tick should be removed to avoid inflammation.
To do this, grab the tick with tweezers or a special tick removal instrument near the surface of the skin, i.e. by its mouthparts (never by its full body!) and pull it slowly and straight out of the skin.
If possible, the tick should not be turned and under no circumstances should it be drizzled with oil or glue before removal.
This would irritate the animal unnecessarily and could cause it to release its saliva and thus possible infectious agents.
After removing the tick, careful disinfection of the wound is recommended.