southern finland - ticks?

living in switzerland in a high risk area for tick-borne diseases, i wonder -

are there (a lot of) ticks in southern finland? what about lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis?

thank you!

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Hi!

There are ticks in Finland and sometimes they do carry those diseases. Ticks can be found all over the country but especially on the Aland Islands and in Western Finland, especially around Pietarsaari and Kokkola.

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how about the situation in jyväskylä? we%26#39;ll be staying in a cottage there.

i am asking since - because of the many ticks infected with these diseases here - we always have to check the children%26#39;s bodies thoroughly for ticks after having been in the woods, which is quite a nuisance. plus, it is advised to always wear long pants, long sleeves, a hat and a scarf. i%26#39;d be very happy if we could be a bit more relaxed during our holidays concerning that aspect.

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Hi!

I am not sure what the situation is in Jyväskylä. Hopefully someone from there could answer that question for you. Wearing long pants is off course always a good precaution if you%26#39;re walking in the woods.

Generally it is said that the largest populations of ticks are found in the archipelago and along the coast, especially in the Aland islands and in Western Finland and in these areas the number of ticks carrying diseases is also said to be higher. I live in one of the areas where there are a lot of ticks and I always check my feet and legs if I have been walking in the woods or through high grass.

Hope that helps!

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You can buy tick repellent at any pharmacy in Finland. Smear it on up to your knees and you%26#39;ll be fine. Mostly it isn%26#39;t too difficult to stay out of long grass in this heavily forested country, which helps.

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There are not that much ticks in inland that you should worry. I%26#39;ve spent numerous summers at cottages by either Päijänne or Saimaa lakes and maybe every 4th year I%26#39;ve seen a tick walking on me. And I%26#39;m not that extra careful.

More of a nuisance are mosquitoes.

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i%26#39;m not so much worried about me but more about the kids, but reading your replies i know i will be be able to be a bit more relaxed concerning ticks and especially their diseases. we will be wearing insect-repellant anyway and in the evening i will check for ticks just as i do at home.

thank you!