Ticks - biology, threats, protections - are focus of 10-week Penn State webinar series

Lyme now in all states, but Pa. has most cases

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness. Dan Gleiter, PennLive HARHAR

Ticks, Lyme disease, other tick-borne diseases and Pennsylvania’s No. 1 position in all of that will be explained in detail in a free, 10-part webinar series from Penn State Extension that begins Thursday, July 9, with weekly installments scheduled through September 17.

After successfully piloting a workshop on vector-borne diseases last fall, extension staff had scheduled an in-person workshop for May. But that workshop was canceled in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions and they have converted it to the upcoming webinar series.

“We wanted to continue the series because of the prevalence of vector-borne diseases in Pennsylvania,” said Erika Machtinger, assistant professor of entomology and part of the extension term hosting the webinar series. “We also thought it was fitting because people might be spending more time outside.

“Since ticks are a major concern in the commonwealth, the idea is that folks will get a basic and understandable foundation for how to protect themselves, their families and their animals from vector-borne diseases.”

Several species of tick, and the pathogens associated with them, are of concern to people and animals in Pennsylvania.

“We’ve put together a great team to deliver this series, from insect taxonomists to integrated pest management specialists to wildlife biologists,” said Machtinger. “We’ll be delivering the spectrum of information from many angles.”

Each webinar is one hour and will take place at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the scheduled dates. The webinars, which will be recorded for later viewing, include time for moderated question and answer sessions.

Dates and topics for webinar sessions are:

  • July 9: “Vector-borne Disease Basics.”
  • July 16: “Ticks of Pennsylvania.”
  • July 23: “Protecting Pets from Tick-borne Diseases.”
  • July 30: “Tick Biology.”
  • August 6: “Tick Protection Around the Home.”
  • August 13: “Protecting Yourself from Tick Bites.”
  • August 27: “Lyme Disease and Other Tick-borne Diseases in Pennsylvania.”
  • September 3: “Tick Risks for Pennsylvania Cattle.”
  • September 10: “Protecting Your Horses from Tick Bites.”
  • September 17: “Hunters and Vector-borne Diseases: A Tick-ing Time Bomb.”

To register for the webinar series, visit the Penn State Extension website.

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