As warmer weather returns, so do ticks—tiny pests that can carry serious illnesses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Tick season typically begins in the spring and peaks in summer, making it crucial to take steps to avoid contact, especially during outdoor activities like hiking, gardening, or camping.
The best defense starts with proper clothing. When venturing into grassy or wooded areas, wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your socks to create a barrier. Light-colored clothing helps you spot ticks more easily. Using an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus can also help deter ticks. Clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin for added protection.
Staying on well-cleared trails and avoiding tall grasses or leaf litter reduces your risk of encountering ticks. Once back indoors, check yourself, children, and pets thoroughly—especially behind ears, around the waist, behind knees, and in hair. Showering within two hours can help remove ticks that haven’t yet attached.
Your home environment also plays a role. Keep lawns mowed, clear brush, and remove leaf piles where ticks like to hide. Consider creating a gravel or woodchip barrier between your lawn and any wooded areas to reduce migration.
Don’t forget about pets—they can carry ticks indoors. Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention products and inspect them daily during tick season.
Taking a few simple precautions can go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones safe from tick bites and tick-borne diseases.