What should you do about ticks? - briefly
Inspect skin and clothing after outdoor exposure, remove attached ticks promptly with fine‑tipped tweezers, and cleanse the bite site. Monitor for rash or fever and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms appear.
What should you do about ticks? - in detail
Ticks are blood‑feeding arthropods that can transmit bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Effective management requires a systematic approach before, during, and after exposure.
- Wear long sleeves and trousers; tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks. Light‑colored clothing makes insects easier to spot.
- Apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing. Reapply according to label instructions.
- Perform a thorough body check within two hours after leaving a tick‑infested area. Examine scalp, behind ears, underarms, groin, and behind knees. Use a hand‑held mirror or enlist assistance for hard‑to‑see spots.
- Remove attached ticks promptly. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers. Pull upward with steady, even pressure; avoid twisting or crushing. Disinfect the bite site and hands with alcohol or iodine.
- Preserve the removed specimen in a sealed container with a damp paper towel if identification or testing is required.
- Monitor the bite area for signs of infection: rash, expanding redness, flu‑like symptoms, or joint pain. Seek medical evaluation if any of these develop, especially within 24‑48 hours.
- Reduce tick habitat around homes. Keep grass trimmed to 2–3 inches, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawn and wooded areas. Treat perimeters with acaricides when appropriate, following label directions.
By combining personal protective measures, diligent inspection, proper removal techniques, and environmental control, the risk of tick‑borne disease can be minimized. Immediate medical consultation remains essential if symptoms appear after a bite.