Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and can even hitch a ride on animals. Activities like walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting can bring you into close contact with these pests. Here are some effective ways to prevent tick bites and stay safe outdoors:
- Know Where to Expect Ticks
Ticks thrive in tall grass, wooded areas, and brushy environments. Avoid these areas and stick to the center of well-maintained trails when walking or hiking. - Treat Clothing and Gear
To protect yourself, treat your clothing and camping gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, which remains effective even after several washes. Alternatively, you can buy pre-treated gear. Additionally, use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or other recommended ingredients. Always follow product instructions, and avoid using products containing Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD on children under 3 years old. - Check for Ticks After Outdoor Activities
After spending time outdoors, check your clothing, pets, and gear for ticks. Tumble-dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks. If the clothes are damp, add extra drying time, or wash them in hot water to remove ticks. - Shower After Being Outdoors
Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses by washing off any unattached ticks. Use this time to check your body for ticks, especially in areas like the armpits, ears, and hair. - Conduct a Full Tick Check
Perform a thorough tick check on yourself and your children after being outdoors. Pay close attention to areas like under the arms, behind the knees, around the waist, and in the hair.
By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of tick bites and enjoy your outdoor activities with peace of mind.
How to Safely Remove a Tick from Your Skin
Photo: Instructions on how to remove a tick, from the CDC.
If a tick is attached to your skin, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull straight up with steady, even pressure—avoid twisting or jerking to prevent the tick’s mouthparts from breaking off. If mouthparts remain in the skin and are easy to remove, do so with tweezers; if not, leave them to heal naturally. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of live ticks by placing them in alcohol, sealing them in a container, taping them securely, or flushing them down the toilet.
Reducing the Presence of Ticks in Your Yard
To minimize ticks in your yard, the CDC recommends:
- Remove leaf litter and clear tall grasses and brush around your home and lawn edges.
- Create a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to prevent tick migration.
- Mow the lawn regularly.
- Stack firewood neatly in a dry area to deter rodents.
- Position playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees.
- Use fences to keep out unwanted animals like deer and raccoons.
- Remove old furniture and trash that provide hiding spots for ticks.
Reducing Tick Exposure Around Your Home
To reduce tick exposure, consider applying pesticides in your yard to control their population. While pesticides can help, they shouldn’t be your only method of protection. Always follow the label instructions and check with local health or agricultural officials for guidance on:
- The best time to apply pesticides
- The most effective pesticide for your area
- Local regulations for pesticide use on residential properties
For professional assistance, contact Northern Pest Control to help manage ticks and further keep your home safe.
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Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!
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