How to Prevent Tick Bites

There’s nothing like spending time in the great outdoors! Whether you’re camping or hiking, or even gardening or lounging, it’s important to protect yourself from ticks. Ticks can carry diseases. Being bitten by a diseased tick isn’t something you want to risk.

Ticks are present year-round but are most active during warmer weather. As you’re out and about this summer, consider these steps to help prevent you and your loved ones from being bitten by a tick:

• Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. If possible, avoid these areas. 
• Wear high-top boots with long pants tucked into the boots. If you don’t have boots, tuck your pants into your socks. Tuck your shirt into your pants and spray any exposed skin with a DEET-based repellent. You can also spray permethrin on your clothes to help deter ticks.
• When you get indoors, shower and check for ticks. Look for ticks in the following places:
  • under arms
  • in and around ears
  • belly button
  • back of knees
  • in hair
  • between legs
  • around waist
• Ticks can be carried into your home on your clothes. Throw your clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may be on the clothes. If you need to wash your clothes, wash with hot water, as cold and medium temperatures will not kill ticks.

What should you do if you find a tick on your skin? Grab a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and pull the tick upward in a steady, even motion off your skin. Promptly wash your hands and disinfect the bite. What do you do with the tick? Do not crush the tick with your fingers! It’s recommended to place it in rubbing alcohol, flush it down the toilet, or place it in a sealed bag. Watch for a rash or fever after being bitten. This may occur several weeks after the bite. If either occur, please see your doctor. 

For additional information on out to prevent tick bites, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.