With the arrival of spring and summer, the risk of tick bites increases significantly, especially when hiking, picnicking, gardening, or walking your pets. Ticks can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, and anaplasmosis, so it’s important to take precautions when outdoors.
Here are some basic safety tips to help protect yourself and your loved ones:
1. Dress appropriately for outdoor activities
Wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot.
Wear permethrin-treated clothing for added protection.
2. Use effective tick repellents
Apply an EPA-registered repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to exposed skin.
For natural alternatives, oil of lemon eucalyptus is a proven option.
3. Stick to trails
Avoid walking in tall grass, dense brush, or leaf piles.
Stay on marked trails in forests and parks.
4. Check yourself and your pets after outdoor activities
Check your entire body for ticks, especially around your armpits, behind your knees, on your waist, and on your scalp.
Check your pets and equipment for ticks before bringing them indoors.
5. Shower within 2 hours of being outdoors
This simple step helps wash away any loose ticks and allows time for a thorough check.
6. Create a tick-free yard
Mow your lawn regularly, remove fallen leaves, and create a gravel or wood chip barrier between your lawn and wooded areas.
Consider using a tick control product for your yard.
7. What to do if you get bitten
Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Clean the bite site and your hands with alcohol or soap and water.
Watch for symptoms such as a rash or fever and seek medical attention if necessary.
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