It’s summer and that time of year when ticks become more threatening as we enjoy the great outdoors. We found some great tips
1. Try to avoid tick-infested areas when possible.
As you know ticks really like dense vegetation or tall grass, kind of the “edge” between open lands and forested areas.2. Use tick repellents.
We’ve all heard about how bad DEET is for us so only use this product on your clothing. and apply according to label instructions.
2. Find and remove ticks.
(A) Check yourself, your children and pets frequently for ticks.
(B) Wear light-colored clothing when in tick-infested areas, as dark ticks are more easily spotted against a light background. (C) After returning home, thoroughly inspect yourself with the aid of a mirror.
(D) Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair.
(E) Bathe or shower as soon as possible after returning from a tick-infested area to wash off crawling ticks and locate attached ticks.
3. Promptly remove ticks when found.
If a tick is removed within a few hours after attachment, the chance of that tick transmitting a pathogen is greatly reduced.
(A) Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible with Use clean, fine-tipped tweezes
(B) Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick as this may cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin.
If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers.
If you are unable to remove the mouth-parts easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
(C) Once the tick has been removed make sure you clean the affected area with rubbing alcohol, scrub with soap and rinse well with clean water.
(D) Examine your gear. Ticks can hitchhike back to the house in your clothing, shoes, back backs, etc. Make sure you check your pet.
(E) Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for an hour to kill remaining ticks
4. Create a tick-safe zone in your yard.
(A) Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
(B) Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between
(C) Mow your lawn regularly
(D) Stack wood neatly in a dry area
(E) Keep your deck and patios away from the edge of your yard. If possible locate your outdoor living in full sun.