Tick-borne diseases on the rise in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WRSP) — Ticks maybe small in size, but they can do a lot of damage. They're most commonly known for spreading Lyme disease.

Health experts said tick-borne illnesses in Illinois have more than doubled in the last decade.

"Lyme disease is becoming a little more prevalent, at least the cases are being reported, and it can become a serious illness,” Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said. “It can be a neurological illness. So you want to make sure that if you do find a tick, you pull out the tick as soon as possible."

Tick populations are also on the rise in Illinois.

"We do less today from the federal and state levels to do wide-spread area insect control,” Mosquito Squad co-owner Daren Bohannan said. “The funding for that dried up 15 or 20 years ago."

As a result, these bugs are spreading faster and in more places, like homes and backyards. Experts recommend looking for them around certain areas of your home.

"You can see them crawl, they like to climb up onto things so they can drop down on you as you walk underneath them, or your pets do,” Bohannan said, “So, you're really just looking for damp, moist, shaded areas is where the ticks like to hang out."

The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends wearing bug spray with 20 percent or higher deet.

"When you're walking along, they're typically in wooded areas, so tuck your pants into socks into boots, Arnold said. “If you can wear long sleeves, that's another good thing to do."

If you are bitten, get medical help right away if you notice a bullseye rash, fever, fatigue or joint pain.

If you do notice a tick has landed on you, pull it straight out with a tweezers. Do not crush the tick with your fingers. Also, wearing light colored clothing can make them easier to spot.

Click here find the six ways to tick-proof your home.