THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996 TAG: 9605170540
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
Ticks - potentially dangerous bugs with a bloodlust - are out in force this spring, scientists say.
Daniel Sonenshine, a biology professor and tick expert at Old Dominion University, said tick populations are especially high this spring in part because of the harsh winter Virginia experienced.
``The snow cover acts as an incubating blanket,'' he said.
Ticks seldom do lasting harm to humans, but some ticks carry Lyme disease, a sometimes debilitating affliction of the nervous system.
The deer tick, or black-legged tick, carries Lyme disease.
To help avoid tick bites, wear long pants with pant legs tucked into boots or socks. by CNB