#1. Backyard Maintenance
As the weather begins to warm-up, it’s important to keep your backyard tidy and trimmed. Ticks thrive in overgrown, damp areas and are more likely to be found in your yard if areas like these are present. To help keep the tick population in your backyard to a minimum, you’ll want to keep grass short, remove any fallen debris, and trim excessive vegetation.
#2. Perform Daily Tick Checks
Daily tick checks are a key part of tick prevention. If you’ve spent time outdoors and may have been exposed to ticks, a tick check can help protect you and your family against the illnesses they can cause. Ticks immediately head to warmer areas of the body that allow them to remain hidden, so be sure to check the hair, waistband, armpits, and back of the legs. And don’t forget that tick checks should also be done on the family pet!
#3. Choose an Effective Tick Repellent
Whether you prefer natural remedies or a strong DEET-based product, tick repellents can be highly effective in tick prevention. Apply your preferred tick repellent before heading outside, and be sure to reapply throughout the day. Most tick repellents are only effective for up to 90 minutes.
#4. Wear Light-Colored, Protective Clothing
Wearing protective clothing during warmer weather can be difficult, but long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants can go a long way in preventing ticks. If you’re expecting to be in a tick-riddled environment, tucking pant legs into your socks will help prevent ticks from crawling up your leg. If it’s too hot to wear such clothing, light colored clothing will at least make it easier for you to spot the dark-bodied ticks.
#5. Treat Clothes After Spending Time Outdoors
If you’re worried about having been exposed to ticks outside, throw your clothing in the dryer on high-heat. This will help prevent ticks from living on your discarded clothing and traveling to hosts around the house. In the meantime, be sure to perform a tick check!
#6. Prepare a “Tick Kit”
In the event that you find a tick during a tick check, you’ll want to be prepared for how to safely remove and dispose of the tick. Prepare your own “tick kit” by putting together a box with tweezers, rubbing alcohol, and a few sealable bags. After removing the tick with tweezers, simply place the tick in a sealable bag with rubbing alcohol to safely dispose of the pest. Learn more about creating your own tick kit, here.
#7. Identify Deer Ticks vs Dog Ticks
Identifying the types of tick you find during a routine tick check can help you understand whether or not you’re at risk for Lyme Disease. Deer ticks are the carriers of Lyme Disease, and are known for their small size and red body. Meanwhile, dog ticks are all brown and much larger, making them easier to spot. At Backyard Defenders, we’ve made it easy for you to tell the difference between deer ticks vs dog ticks, here.
#8. Practice Safe Tick Removal
If a tick has latched onto the skin and needs to be removed, safe tick removal must be practiced to prevent an infection from occurring. Be sure to use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull up slowly and firmly, ensuring that the tick’s head has been removed along with its body. Place the tick in a sealable bag with rubbing alcohol and clean the bite site. Once you’ve successfully removed the tick, you’ll want to keep an eye out for swelling or a rash over the next few days. If a deer tick was removed, you’ll want to consult with your doctor immediately. Lyme Disease can be easily treated if detected early, but can cause severe complications if left untreated.
#9. Understand Lyme Disease Basics
Lyme Disease is one of the most dangerous illnesses caused by ticks, so it’s important to understand its symptoms. These may include a rash, fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If you have been bitten by a tick and experience any of these symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor. If you have removed a tick and disposed of it with rubbing alcohol, the tick can also be tested to determine if it was a carrier for Lyme Disease.
#10. Take Advantage of a Tick Treatment Program
One of the most effective ways to keep your home free of dangerous pests is to take advantage of a tick treatment program. These programs treat your backyard and the area surrounding your home to eliminate existing ticks and prevent new ones from appearing. Tick treatment programs are safe for your family and pets, and can be found in both synthetic and organic treatment methods. These programs can also prevent other pests from living in your backyard, while not harming insects and creatures that are vital to the environment. To learn more about a tick treatment program near you, contact Backyard Defenders today!