05/06/2025
**Tick Safety: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself Outdoors**
As the weather warms up and more people head outside for hikes, gardening, or time at the park, one tiny creature becomes a big concern: ticks. These small, blood-sucking arachnids can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis. Knowing how to prevent tick bitesâand what to do if you get oneâis essential for staying safe.
Where Ticks Lurk
Ticks thrive in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas. They often wait at the tips of tall grasses or leaves, ready to latch onto a hostâlike you or your petâas you walk by. You donât have to be deep in the woods to encounter them; they can be found in suburban backyards and city parks too.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
**1. Dress Smart:**
* Wear long sleeves and pants.
* Tuck pants into socks to close gaps.
* Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks.
**2. Use Repellent:**
* Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on skin.
* Treat clothes and gear with permethrin for extra protection.
**3. Stay on Clear Paths:**
Avoid brushing against vegetation. Stick to the center of trails and avoid tall grasses when possible.
**4. Check Yourself and Others:**
* After spending time outdoors, do a full-body tick check. Use a mirror to check hard-to-see areas like behind the knees, under the arms, and along the hairline.
* Shower within two hours of coming indoorsâit can help wash away unattached ticks and make it easier to spot them.
**5. Check Your Pets:**
Pets can carry ticks into the home. Check their fur carefully and ask your vet about tick preventatives.
If You Find a Tick
If a tick is attached:
* Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible.
* Pull upward steadilyâdonât twist or jerk.
* Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
* Monitor the site for a rash or flu-like symptoms. Call your doctor if youâre concerned or develop symptoms.
**Donât** use nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to remove a tick. These methods can increase the risk of infection.
Stay Vigilant
Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but peak season is typically spring through early fall. Taking a few preventive steps can go a long way toward keeping you and your family safe.
Stay informed. Stay protected. And enjoy the outdoorsâtick-free.