Find a tick? Use the TickClick App!

Awareness is key to Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness prevention. TickClick is a free, educational application designed to help you identify ticks, have a safe plan of action should you be bitten by a tick, assess disease risk if bitten, and ultimately prevent tick bites.

Created by Tamson Yeh of Cornell Cooperative Extension, the app is available on both Android and iOS, making information easily accessible wherever you might find ticks.

 

One of our favorite features was the list of top 10 most common myths about ticks. “Are all ticks infected?” “Do ticks jump or fall from trees?” Download the app to find out.

TickClick also can help you identify the species and life-stage of ticks you find. Be sure to look for characteristics such as color and the number of legs. The app provides photos and will also help you determine whether it is in fact a tick or a harmless insect.

The health risk of tick bites can be the most worrisome for families. TickClick lists the different diseases that can be transmitted from various types of ticks. The list also gives symptoms associated with each disease, so users can determine whether they may have a tick-borne illness and see a doctor. For example, the app describes the red bull’s eye, which is often a symptom of Lyme disease.

The app is relatively new and there are definitely areas where it could be improved, however TickClick is a fantastic concept and provides important information to prevent tick bites. We hope to see more apps like this launch in the future, and we’ll be sure to share with you what we find!