Green grass, beautiful flowering trees around, an incredible picnic and loved ones nearby. It would be a great way to spend your weekend. Spending time in nature has always been one of the best ideas for recreation, which can recharge and energise you for the new working week. London’s parks and other green zones provide a chance to get away from the frantic and sometimes depressing atmosphere of the city. However, we shouldn’t forget about insects, whose bites can not only spoil your mood but lead to more serious health consequences. One of the most dangerous is ticks. What is the situation with their spread in the capital of Great Britain? What routes are the most dangerous? How to avoid meeting them? Learn more at londonname.
Features of tick’s life
Ticks are small arachnids. Their size can vary, but usually, they don’t get bigger than a bean. Ticks feed on the blood of animals and humans. Their activity begins in the spring period and continues until the end of autumn. The life cycle of a tick lasts about two years. They usually live in tall grass, wooded and swampy areas, parks and gardens. You will hardly have to meet ticks in London in everyday life because of the urbanisation process. However, such a possibility exists when a person works in the yard or walks in the natural environment. These arachnids can easily spoil your outdoor vacation.
Why do they spread in London?
The spread of ticks isn’t catastrophic in London. The situation is approximately the same as in other European cities. Moreover, it is quite difficult to quantify ticks in the city. Such research should be based on a certain localisation. Tick populations often depend on animal populations. However, there are several other reasons for the spread of ticks in London. One of them is climate change. For example, the city experienced a mild winter in 2023. In addition, record-high summer temperatures have been recorded here since 2010. Such conditions are favourable for these arachnids. Parks also contribute to their distribution. London has a lot of ancient architecture, modern office buildings and vehicles. Therefore, people try to treat nature with care and contribute to the preservation of the environment. However, in addition to various recreational areas, they create a haven for ticks.
Impact on human health and preventive measures
In general, the residents of London bitten by ticks don’t experience any negative health effects. Most local arachnids aren’t able to transmit terrible and widely-known diseases. However, some of the bites can lead to Lyme disease. Although the number of such ticks is insignificant here (about 3% of the total number), meeting them can be tragic for a person. Those arachnids carrying the infection are most commonly found in Richmond Park and Bushy Park because of the local animals. In particular, Richmond Park is known for its large number of deer. In any case, you shouldn’t cancel visits to nature reserves and parks due to the presence of ticks on their territory. However, you should follow some rules that will help you avoid meeting them. In the modern world, there are many means (aerosols, creams and liquids) aimed at scaring away these little “monsters”. In addition, when going out into nature, you’d better wear light clothes as well as walk along paths and established routes. Thus, you can avoid unwanted encounters and bites.