Ticks

Ticks are pests of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife in North Carolina. Ticks attach to living hosts and feed on the host’s blood.  This allows for the transmission of disease-causing bacteria and viruses that can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease, which are very serious conditions for humans.  Ticks are often found at ground level in shady areas that are moist and have overgrowth and weeds. Since BHI has a large number of areas with these conditions, we suggest that you take caution by taking the following measures:

  • Stay on clear paths and roads when possible. 
  • When possible, layer your clothing.  Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirttail into your pants.  Wearing light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to see.
  • Use insect repellent.
  • When you know you have been in an area that may have ticks, check your clothing and body for ticks at least twice a day.  The longer a tick is attached, the greater the chances that disease-causing germs have been transmitted.

Source: NC State Extension

Ticks and Your Pets

Some advice the BHI Conservancy has to avoid ticks on pets on BHI: 

  • Avoid brushy areas and tall grass. 
  • Walking and letting dogs run on short grass like Marina Park and along roadsides, versus running off the road, should expose the dogs to fewer ticks. 
  • Dune grasses, underbrush, and brush piles are the worst areas for dogs to run through. 
  • Using tick collars can help limit tick exposure. 

Vector Control 

Many local governments provide vector control services to help protect the public’s health from diseases carried by vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.  The Village of Bald Head Island has a mosquito control program that uses chemical applications in some areas of Bald Head Island. Some of the chemicals used are effective for both ticks and mosquitoes.  For more information on the Village’s mosquito control program, visit our Mosquito Control webpage HERE.  

Resources

Here are some additional resources on ticks: