Riverhead Launches Tick Prevention Pilot Program For Employees

RIVERHEAD, NY — Riverhead Town kicked off a pilot program with the Tick Borne Disease Resource Center at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, according to town officials.

According to a release from Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith's office, "The East End has noticed a considerable increase in the tick population and it is posing a growing threat to residents and visitors throughout the area. On eastern Long Island, we are seeing deer, Lone star and dog tick populations soar due to a warmer climate, which allows ticks to live through the winter."

The new program will provide our employees with knowledge and the tools necessary to prevent tick bites inside and outside of work, town officials said.

“As tick populations boom, and tick-borne illnesses become more widespread it is important that we do our best to protect town employees. This pilot program is the first step in that direction, and I am so proud to be the first town on Long Island to implement this," Jens-Smith said.

This fall, the town will be providing trainings and spraying workers shoes with Permethrin, an effective sprays to ward away Ttcks. During the trainings, employees will be educated on the three most prevalent ticks we have and how to safely remove a tick.

Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.