Tick Bite Prevention

As the summer wears on, one thing we all need to be mindful of are ticks. Ticks have become more prevalent in recent years as warmer winters with less snow has allowed their northern migration. The issue with ticks is that they can carry a variety of diseases, so preventing tick bites is important. There are a few things you can do to prevent tick bites. 

First up is wearing protective clothing. When you are in areas where ticks are more likely to be present, such as high grasses, wear pants, and long sleeves, and tuck your shirt into your pants. You can also wear tall socks and tuck your pant legs in. The goal is to create physical barriers that the tick would have to overcome to find available skin. You can also apply different insect repellents like DEET to your clothes. There are concerns about the effects of insect repellents on the skin so be cautious using it on children and directly on the skin, always shower immediately after you come inside. If you are hiking, try to stay on the trail, venturing into uncharted higher grasses near wooded areas can increase your risk of picking up a tick.

When you are done being outdoors, always make sure you brush yourself off and check your clothes before you head indoors. You don’t want a tick hanging out on your pants leg to hitch a ride to your couch. It is advisable to take a shower after spending a prolonged period of time outside and do a full tick check when you do. Make sure you check all your skin, especially creases, the back of your neck and any areas a tick could hide. 

For your own home, keeping your lawn short and free of debris like leaf piles can help reduce hiding places for ticks. If you can, block off wild life from being able to wander through, as they can bring ticks into your yard as well. And always routinely check your pets, especially ones with longer, dark fur. 

While no prevention is absolute, being vigilant and cognizant about your outdoor habits and dress can greatly reduce your risk of picking up a tick.