· Create a tick kit for your family for use at home and make another for travel. Necessary items include a fine-tipped tweezer, alcohol pads, magnifier, and antibiotic ointment. Or, purchase a readymade kit, the TickEase Tick-Kit, that also includes tick ID, health risk assessment and tick testing info.
· Remember to wear light-colored long sleeves and pants when in long grass areas
· Tuck your pant legs into socks, especially if walking or hiking in wooded areas
· Wear a bug repellent with DEET on your skin and Permethrin on your clothing to keep ticks away
Tick Safety in Your Yard
· Clear tall grass and brush at the edge of the lawn and create a 3-foot barrier between lawns and wooded areas with wood chips, mulch, or gravel
· Cut lawn frequently and keep leaves raked because ticks prefer moist leafy areas rather than sunny open spaces
· Locate patios and playground equipment in a sunny location, away from wooded areas
Tick Safety for Your Dog
· After walking in wooded areas brush your dog vigorously and do a thorough tick check
· Have your dog wear a permethrin-treated bandana, i.e. the TickEase Bandana to help repel ticks and other insects.
· Quickly remove embedded ticks from pets to reduce the chance of infection. The TickEase tweezer makes tick removal quick and easy as holding down a squirmy pet can be tricky.
Thanks to Erik Karits @erik_karits for making this photo available freely on Unsplash 🎁
https://unsplash.com/photos/r6PynlurQ2M