Tick alert - Danger

Ticks appear to be around in large numbers this year. Perhaps because of the lack of winter frosts.

They are known to transmit Lyme's Disease in Sussex. Lyme's Disease is very serious and can have life changing consequences.

They have been spotted so far at Caburn and below Firle.

They wait on blades of grass and crawl onto warm things, like unprotected legs. There they bury their barbed feeding nozzle and fill up with blood. Eventually they will drop off.
If removing one do not squeeze it or apply any of the old wives remedies. If they regurgitate their contents chance of infection is much higher. Instead cut a V into a piece of thin, stiff plastic and use it under the head like a claw hammer to pull them out whole. The barbs are like a Christmas tree, so twisting can help.

The tick can be kept for later analysis. They can be tested for the disease before the victim's symptoms develop.

Early symptoms are described as a red "bulls eye" reaction. If you have one of those, even if you didn't see the offending beast, then you should suspect Lyme's disease and seek medical advice urgently.

Long trousers, not sitting around in livestock fields and DEET insect repellent can help avoid bites. Or staying in the air. It might be an idea to avoid leaving harnesses lying in the grass.