Stay Alert: Ticks Are Back in the Backyard

The spring heat is inviting people and their dogs to explore parks, but a quiet threat lurks in the tall grass. Since 2020, Alexandria has recorded more cases of Lyme disease, a bacterial illness that spreads when a blacklegged deer tick bites. Symptoms start with fever and fatigue, then a red rash that looks like a bull’s eye, and can progress to joint pain and heart irregularities if untreated. The tick life cycle matters: the nymph stage, which first shows up in early summer, is especially dangerous because these tiny bugs are hard to spot. They cling to skin while you walk through bushes or fallen leaves—a behavior called “questing. ” Another worry is Alpha‑gal syndrome, carried by lone star ticks. This allergy can make people react to red meat and is now trackable by state health officials.The city’s Health Department has begun a “Don’t Let Ticks Stick” program to help residents spot and remove ticks quickly. A simple five‑minute check after a walk can save you from serious illness. Look in belts, armpits, behind knees, and other hidden spots; nymphs can be as small as a black sesame seed. To aid removal, free card‑size tools are available at the Health Department and community events. The cards also have a QR code that lets you upload a picture of the tick for experts to identify and monitor local activity. Educational talks, led by health specialists and enthusiastic volunteers, will run at several recreation centers throughout the month. These sessions aim to give people confidence that they can still enjoy Virginia’s outdoors safely.