Cape And Islands Are Prime Tick Habitats

The Cape and Islands are prime tick habitats, and this year tick season is off to an unusually bad start.

The CDC says nationwide, emergency department visits for tick bites are currently averaging 114 per 100-thousand people each week which is nearly triple the rate for this time of year.

Residents are reminded that ticks can be active anytime the temperatures top 40-degrees and this is a high-risk time of year, because most people are not yet thinking about prevention.

There's more information on tick-borne illnesses and prevention tips on the Barnstable County website.

 (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)