As spring returns to the Catskills and the Upper Delaware region, the warm weather invites residents and visitors outdoors. But it also brings back some unwelcome guests: ticks and mosquitoes. These small pests carry serious health risks, including Lyme disease and other vector-borne illnesses that are becoming more common across the region.
Dave Williams, an emergency room Physician Assistant.at Ellenville Regional Hospital, joined Radio Chatskill to discuss what to expect this season, how to protect yourself and your family, and when to seek medical help.
“We’re well into tick season now,” Williams said. “In the ER, we’re seeing an uptick in patients coming in with tick bites, rashes, and symptoms of Lyme disease or anaplasmosis. These diseases are real and increasingly common.”
Why Spring Is Peak Season
Ticks become especially active in spring and early summer, particularly the black-legged deer tick, which transmits Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. Many ticks that didn’t feed in the fall become aggressive in the spring, and a single female can lay up to 3,000 eggs.
Mosquito activity also rises with increased rainfall, which leads to more standing water — the perfect breeding ground.
“Wet springs make things worse,” Williams explained. “Mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water, and ticks love moist, shaded areas like leaf litter or tall grass.”
What to Watch For
Early symptoms of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can be deceptively mild — and easy to dismiss.
“It often looks like a summer cold,” said Williams. “Fever, body aches, fatigue. Only about a third of Lyme patients get the telltale rash, so it’s easy to miss.”
Symptoms typically appear 7 to 10 days after a bite. If left untreated, Lyme can progress to more serious complications, such as joint swelling, neurological symptoms, or even Lyme carditis, which affects the heart.
Williams emphasized that if symptoms linger — especially fatigue, aches, or fever — it’s important to seek care.
Pets and Kids at Higher Risk
Children and pet owners face increased exposure. Young kids often play in grassy areas and are more likely to come into contact with ticks. Similarly, pets that spend time outdoors can bring ticks inside.
“We see a lot of children under seven and older adults come in with Lyme,” said Williams. “Parents should do daily tick checks, especially behind the ears, around the neck, and at the hairline. Those are the common hiding spots.”
Dogs can also show symptoms such as limping or lethargy — signs that should prompt a visit to the vet.
Prevention Tips
Williams shared several tips to reduce the risk of bites:
- Dress smart: Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily. Tuck pants into socks when walking in grassy or wooded areas.
- Use repellent: Apply EPA-approved repellents like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Clothing and shoes can be treated with permethrin — but never apply permethrin directly to skin.
- Check yourself: Do thorough tick checks after coming indoors, including under arms, behind knees, along the hairline, and in the belly button.
- Eliminate tick habitats: Keep lawns mowed, remove leaf litter, and drain standing water to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If symptoms persist beyond a few days, or if you notice a rash or know you’ve been bitten, don’t wait.
“Lyme disease is very treatable if caught early,” said Williams. “We often treat based on symptoms alone, because you can’t wait days for test results when someone’s sick.”
Treatment typically involves a 10–14 day course of antibiotics like doxycycline.
Don’t Let Illness Ruin Your Summer
Williams’s biggest piece of advice? Be vigilant, but don’t be afraid to enjoy the outdoors.
“Spring and summer in the Catskills are beautiful,” he said. “You just have to be smart. Check yourself and your kids, spray your clothes, and don’t wait to get help if something feels off.”
More information and resources are available at Ellenville Regional Hospital’s website.
Image: Tucking your pants in your socks has been shown to reduce tick bites. (Credit: Penn State Extension)