Eight tips
- Avoid wooded brushy areas with high grass and lots of leaf "litter" because ticks love this habitat. If possible, avoid sitting on the ground in these areas.
- Make it easier to spot the tiny bugs on clothing: When outdoors in grassy or wooded areas wear light colored clothing to help you see ticks.
- Create a tick barrier: Tuck pants into socks or boots when walking in deer tick areas.
- Keep long hair pulled back or in a hat to prevent tick attachment when sitting on the ground.
- Deer tick repellant for clothing should include Permethrin.
- If you apply repellant to the skin it should contain DEET. Don't apply DEET to the face. Read the directions carefully. Also talk to your doctor about the health precautions for repellants and children. (The CDC recommends adults using repellants with 20-30% DEET on exposed skin to prevent bites.)
- Daily Tick Checks: At the end of the deer have someone do a tick check. The tick must be attached for at least 24-48 hours to transmit the bacteria.
- Check your pets too: Check your pets for ticks each day. (There is a vaccine for pets to prevent Lyme disease, but it won't stop the ticks from hitching a ride on your pet and entering your house.) There are some topical topical repellants available for pets.
For tips on how to remove a deer tick go to this lyme disease link.
Photo above of an adult female deer tick by Dendroica cerulea.
