Cape And Island Residents Can Use URI Site For Expert Tick Guidance

Barnstable County says ticks are active now that it's spring and there's a great resource to identify tick species and the risks they pose.

The University of Rhode Island's TickSpotters program allows users to submit photos of the blood-sucking arachnids and get a free identification and guidance on how to lessen the risk of bites and tickborne diseases.

The experts say different tick species transmit different diseases and it's important to know the regional infection rates and other critical details.

The information gathered by TickSpotters helps to monitor the tick population and disease risks.

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