There has been no shortage of news stories warning of ticks and the dangers they pose to both humans and their four-legged companions.

No one is immune to the unwanted stowaways that latch on during a long hike through the woods or a quick stroll through the back yard. All it takes is momentary contact in tall grass or shrubs, and the tiny pests will dig in, questing for their next blood meal. Pennsylvania is among the top 10 states in the country for the disease, with the State Department of Health reporting 16,620 confirmed cases last year.

The most common variety, the blacklegged tick or deer tick, is responsible for Lyme disease. To transmit the disease, a tick needs to remain attached for 24 to 36 hours, so it’s important to remove it as soon as it’s discovered.

Prevention is key, Zachary Basinger, environmental permitting manager for the Greene County Conservation District, told the newspaper last week.

Apply insect repellents containing DEET, and wear long-sleeved shirts or tuck pants into boots when walking through brush or wooded areas. And after any outings, check all over for any clingers.

“That’s all we can do,” Basinger said. “They’re everywhere, and I don’t think they’re going anywhere. It’s only going to get worse.”

— Observer-Reporter, Washington, Pa.