Worried about Lyme disease this tick season? At Backyard Defenders, we are dedicated to helping our customers avoid Lyme disease and the harmful deer ticks that carry this illness. So, here are a few of the best ways to keep ticks out of your house and off of your family members this season.
Be Aware of Possible Tick Locations
Whether you’re spending time in your backyard, visiting a hiking trail, or spending the weekend camping, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions for the presence of ticks. Wooded or grassy areas create the ideal environment for ticks, especially in the New England area where deer ticks cause the greatest concern. If you and your family are planning on spending time in areas like these, you’ll want to be aware of possible ticks and ensure that you’re taking all the right steps to prevent Lyme disease.
Use Repellent on Skin & Clothing
One of the best ways to prevent Lyme disease is to use a safe, but effective, tick repellent on your skin and clothes. However, most natural and synthetic repellents are only effective for up to 90 minutes. So, you’ll want to make sure that you reapply when necessary. It is also a good idea to wear long sleeves and pants when possible, as ticks can easily land on exposed skin and crawl to other areas of your body.
Perform a Daily Tick Check
After spending time outside, it’s always a good idea to check for ticks on yourself and loved ones. Deer ticks, which spread Lyme disease, are quite small and have a reputation for finding areas on the body where they can hide. During your tick check, be sure to check these areas:
- Armpits
- Back of The Knees
- Hair on Head and Body
- Ears
- Belly Button
- Waist
Although deer ticks are water repellent, it’s a good idea to take a shower after spending time in tick infested areas as this can help to remove them from your hair and body. If any ticks are found, remove them promptly and watch for symptoms like fever and rash. If any of these symptoms are present, contact your doctor immediately. To learn more about how to properly remove a tick, click here.
Place Clothing in Dryer
Before your tick check, you’ll want to remove all clothing that was worn outdoors and inspect it carefully for ticks. If you spent a great deal of time in a tick infested area, throw your clothes in the dryer and set it to high heat. The heat can kill any ticks that may have been missed during your check and can help keep them from spreading to other areas of the house.
Prevent Ticks On Your Pets
Pets are a common carrier of ticks, especially among breeds with longer fur where the ticks can easily hide. Ticks that attach to pets will either feast until they become engorged and eventually fall off, or can make their way to other areas of the house and attach to a member of your family. To prevent ticks from attaching to your pets be sure to treat them with a repellent and perform daily tick checks after spending time outside.
Treat Your Yard for Ticks!
One of the best ways to prevent Lyme disease is to treat your yard for ticks starting in the Spring. Tick treatment plans are highly effective in removing the current population of ticks, as well as preventing new ticks from appearing in your yard. Many tick treatment plans also prevent mosquitoes and other pests, but are not harmful to beneficial bugs suchs as bees and butterflies. If you’re looking for tick treatments in the Chelmsford area, contact Backyard Defenders to receive a complimentary quote on our comprehensive tick and mosquito treatment program!