05/29/2025
Summer is here, and it's time to be tick aware! Ticks can be a nuisance, but more importantly, they can carry diseases. So, it's crucial to take steps to prevent tick bites. Here are five easy steps you can follow:
1. **Avoid areas where ticks live.** Ticks love places like wood piles, leaf litter, long grass, beach grass, bushy areas, stone walls, and the edges where your lawn meets the woods. Try to steer clear of these areas when you can.
2. **Wear light-colored clothing.** This makes it easier to spot ticks. Try to wear a long-sleeved shirt tucked in at the waist, long pants tucked into high socks, closed-toe shoes, and a hat. If you can, tuck your hair into your hat. And remember, walking in the grass barefoot or in open sandals might be tempting, especially in summer, but it's not a good idea if you want to avoid ticks.
3. **Apply tick repellent.** Use an EPA-approved tick repellent, like picaridin or DEET, on your skin. You can also apply an insecticide, like permethrin, to your clothing and shoes. Just make sure to follow the directions on the label.
4. **Remove your clothing when you get home.** As soon as you get inside, take off your clothes and put them in the dryer on high heat for about 10-15 minutes. This will kill any live ticks. But remember, washing your clothes won't do the trick.
5. **Examine yourself and your pets for ticks every day.** Ticks can be sneaky, so you'll need to check your whole body. Pay special attention to the back of your knees, groin, armpits, in and behind your ears, belly button, and scalp. And don't forget to check your pets, too!
