Ticks are a common threat during the warmer months in Pennsylvania, and their presence is more than just a nuisance. Black legged ticks, also called deer ticks, are the most common carrier of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Ticks typically thrive in tall grass, brush and wooded areas, and they have been found in every county in the commonwealth. Domestic animals like dogs and cats can be bitten by ticks and serve as vectors, bringing the pests into contact with people when the animals come inside or are petted.
It is important to check for ticks on anyone and on animals whenever you’ve spent time outdoors. To remove a tick, use a tick removal tool or tweezers to pinch the tick near its head and pull the tick straight away from your skin.
Appearing on Smart Talk Thursday to discuss safety considerations are Michael Skvarla, Ph.D., assistant research professor of arthropod identification in the Department of Entomology at Penn State University, and Lea Lind, Pennsylvania Department of Health epidemiology research assistant.
How much does the government know about UFOs?
The federal government could release a report on what is known about unidentified aerial phenomena, or UFOs, by the end of this month. The report is expected to detail investigative findings over the years after UFOs were sighted – often by Navy or Air Force pilots.
The report is not expected to conclude the UFOs were operated by aliens, but also may not explain what the aircraft are.
The National UFO Reporting Center, which is not government-affiliated, received some 7,200 reports of sightings in 2020.
Joining us on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss what to expect from the report and their experiences are Stan Gordon, UFO phenomena researcher, UFO Anomalies Zone, and Anthony Pugliese, investigator with Paranormal Search of Pennsylvania.
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