As we enter the warmer months, many of us will be gearing up to spend more time outdoors. However, with the temperatures rising, it brings about an unfortunate side effect: tick season. Ticks are not only a nuisance, but they can also transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease. It’s important to keep yourself, your family and your pets safe from ticks. It’s Tick Season: Avoiding Tick Bites, Let’s discuss the best ways to avoid tick bites in your own backyard and beyond.
1. Know where ticks hide:
Ticks thrive in warm, damp areas such as wooded or brushy areas. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with where ticks usually reside in your backyard, such as overgrown shrubs, tall grass and around the base of trees. This way, you can avoid these areas as much as possible.
2. Avoid wooded or brushy areas:
The best way to avoid tick bites is to stay out of areas that are known to be infested, such as wooded or brushy areas. If you must go into these areas, you can wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your skin.
3. Tuck pant legs into socks:
Tucking your pant legs into your socks can be an effective method of preventing ticks from crawling up your legs and biting you. This also helps to expose the ticks on your clothing, making them easier to spot and remove.
4. Walk in the center of trails:
Ticks typically reside on the grass and brush along the edges of trails. Walking in the center of trails can help you avoid ticks as much as possible.
5. Use EPA-registered repellants:
Using an EPA-registered repellant is an excellent way to add an extra layer of protection against ticks. There are many different types of repellants available, such as sprays, lotions and treated clothing. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using repellants.
6. Examine your pets regularly:
Pets are at high risk for tick bites since they often play in grassy areas. Regularly checking them for ticks can help prevent the tick from embedding and potentially transmitting diseases to your pet and your family.
7. Check your clothing and gear for ticks every time you come inside:
After spending time outdoors, it’s essential to check your clothing and gear thoroughly for ticks, especially if you were in a wooded or brushy area. Ticks can easily attach themselves to clothing and can even be transported indoors.
8. Check your body for ticks:
Checking your body for ticks will help you spot them before they embed themselves in your skin. Pay extra attention to the following areas as ticks tend to gravitate towards warm and moist places: under arms, around ears, along hairline, back of knees, between the legs and inside the belly button
Keeping your family and pets safe from tick bites is crucial, and being proactive about tick prevention is the key. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of tick bites and potentially life-changing diseases. However, your backyard may have an outbreak of ticks that seem difficult to address. This is where The Pest Force comes in. Our pest control treatment for your lawn and shrubs can help reduce or eliminate ticks in your yard. Contact us today to learn more about how we can keep your backyard a safe tick-free space.
