Lyme disease has been recorded in Bushy Park and a plotholder has been reported as being bitten by ticks so they are present on the allotments too. It’s thought only a small proportion of ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, so being bitten doesn’t mean you’ll definitely be infected. However, it’s important to be aware of the risk and seek medical advice if you develop a circular rash or you start to feel unwell.
Ticks can’t jump or fly so they have to wait until an animal (or human) brushes past to attach to their skin, so it is recommended you wear closed shoes not sandals and long sleeved tops.
If you are bitten and find a tick on your or your child’s skin, remove it by gently gripping it as close to the skin as possible, preferably using fine-toothed tweezers. Pull steadily away from the skin without twisting or crushing the tick.
For more information see:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease
The Royal Parks has also issued an informative leaflet:
Bushy Park Allotment Association
I got bitten by a tick in either Bushy Park or Home Park at the end of July. In the middle of August I developed the Bulleye Rash of Lyme Disease. Luckily I realised what this was and got to the doctor (on holiday in France) and got onto the antibotics.
I have walked in these parks for thirty years and I believe ticks are much more common now than in the past.
By warned as it was only the appearance of the rash that alerted me below my hip but often in might be on your back, in your hair or not at all and if you don’t catch it in Stage ! it’s very dangerous.