Tick Bite Prevention Tips

Tick Bite Prevention Tips

Ticks are, no doubt, one of the worst things that can happen to you and your loved ones. The health issues they can cause are enough to make you never want to see or hear of a tick again! Bites from ticks can cause a disease called ‘Lyme‘ which is just as terrible as it sounds. This disease makes you feel worn out and tired and can happen to anyone who lives in an area where ticks are found. Follow these simple tips to prevent ticks bites on people (and pets).

Preventing Tick Bites On People

Tick bites are unpleasant, and they can be dangerous. If you’re hiking or camping in an area where ticks are prevalent, it’s essential to take the necessary precautions.

Know Where Ticks Are

Ticks can be anywhere, but they prefer to live in areas with a lot of vegetation and moisture, including forests, grassy areas, and shrubbery. The best prevention is to avoid these areas.

If you are bitten, remove the tick as soon as possible. Use tweezers or other fine-tipped instruments for tick removal. Grasp the tick firmly behind the head and pull it out slowly and steadily without twisting or jerking it. If you pull too fast or jerk it out, you increase your chance of breaking off part of the tick’s body and leaving it in your skin. Cleanse the bite area thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment or cream to prevent infection.

Treat Your Clothes and Gear

If you have to go into woody areas, wear long-sleeved clothing and tuck your pants into your socks or boots. Apply insect repellent on exposed skin. Use tick repellents that contain DEET or permethrin on skin and clothing. Permethrin should not be used on children under two years old. It is safe for adults to use this product on their clothes, but it is still important to wash treated clothes separately from other laundry since some may be sensitive to this chemical compound.

Preventing Tick Bites On Pets

It’s essential to protect our pet’s health by preventing tick bites. Ticks are tiny, and they can hide in tall grass and brush. Your pets may pick up ticks while running around in the yard, especially if they’re hunting, digging, or rolling in the dirt.

Veterinarian Recommendations For Pet Treatment

It is possible to purchase tick repellent products at your local discount retailer. However, that is likely not what your veterinarian would recommend. They know best, so follow their recommendation for your pet’s breed, size, type, and more.

Ticks can easily embed themselves in the hair of your pet, which include domestic pets and farm animals. Ticks like the following areas on animals:

Lyme Disease Prevention: 48 Hours After Tick Bite

  • Between Toes
  • Behind the Ears
  • Between the Back Legs
  • Around the Tail
  • In and Around the Ears
  • Around the Eyelids
  • Under the Collar
  • Under the Front Legs

Preventing Tick Bites In The Yard

Tick bites are unpleasant and can lead to serious health complications. Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent them in the yard.

Keep Lawn Mowed and Leaves Removed

A well-maintained yard is less likely to have ticks hiding in it. Remove leaves every few days to ensure they don’t build up and provide a habitat for ticks. Keep your grass short to see any ticks that might have crawled onto it.

Remove Trash From The Yard

Ticks are like trash because they provide food and shelter from predators. Ensure there isn’t anything sitting around outside that would attract ticks, such as piles of wood or rocks, old cars or appliances, dog beds, and other items that could cover ticks.

Apply Pesticides

Consider applying pesticides to your yard with a tick control service at least once a year. This will help kill off any ticks present before they have time to attach themselves to an animal or person.

All in all, ticks are a tough enemy. They’re sneaky, they’re small, and they can be challenging to recognize. The best way to protect yourself or your pets from tick bites is to make tick detection easy. Treat your clothes and gear, treat your pets, avoid areas where ticks are found, and and keep your lawn mowed and leaves removed. The best way to eradicate the tick concerns is to hire a tick control service to treat your property.