BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The end of school is upon us and with that means summer camps, but that also means the possibility of getting bitten by ticks.
In Buffalo it may seem unlikely to think about ticks, but the Buffalo Equestrian Center doesn't horse around when it comes to these critters. Ticks can carry disease like Lyme.
Summer camp at the stables starts soon, which means Buffalo Equestrian Center's Katherine Karrer will be on the lookout for any sign of ticks on her horses, her campers and herself.
"Everyone just need to be really careful and keep an eye out for them," she said. Founder of Lyme Western New York, Rebecca Roll, agrees, adding it's important to send your kids to camp with bug spray, high socks and sneakers.
"Every single day, go outside, spray your clothes, spray your shoes, your socks, your skin and when you come in every day, take a shower, strip down and do your tick checks, constantly," Roll said. But it isn't just at camp you should make sure your kids are protected from ticks, even in your backyard, there's the risk of tick bites.
"Ticks are everywhere. They're really prevalent now," Roll said.
Data from the New York State Department of Health shows an increase in reported Lyme in Erie County between 2015-2017. Erie County has these resources to help.
