With the warmer weather, ticks are becoming a bigger problem. And they aren't just a nuisance, some experts claiming that tick-borne illnesses have more than tripled in the past several years.
Here are the 7 best tips for preventing tick bites:
1. Dress Appropriately
- Wear long pants tucked into boots and a tucked in shirt to keep ticks from getting underneath your clothing
- Light colored clothing makes it easier to spot any ticks that are on you
- Use Tick Tape Wrap to prevent trap and repel ticks and prevent tick bites
2. Avoid Areas Where Ticks Thrive
- Ticks live in grassy, brushy or wooded areas. Staying out of tall grass or brush is best to avoid encountering ticks
- Keep your lawn mowed short to discourage ticks from loitering in your yard
- If possible, try to control the wildlife population around your house - ticks thrive when there are dense populations of deer, mice and other animals
3. Make Frequent Tick Checks
- Check for ticks often when spending time outdoors, especially in areas prone to having ticks
- After coming indoors, check your body for ticks. Ticks like to latch in dark areas of the body, such as the scalp, behind the knees, between the legs and under arms
4. Shower After Coming Indoors
- Once inside, wash your clothing in hot water to kill any ticks that you may not have seen. Many ticks are so small they are difficult to see with the naked eye.
- Shower immediately to wash off any ticks that you may not have seen
5. Remove Any Embedded Ticks As Soon As Possible
- It's imperative to remove any latched ticks as soon as they are found. Use a tick remover or tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as you can and be sure not to squeeze the tick.
- Pull the tick straight out, making sure to not leave the tick's head behind
Don't let ticks ruin your outdoor adventures. With proper precautions and education, you'll be sure to keep you and your family safe from ticks.