What should you do to prevent a tick bite? - briefly
Wear long sleeves and pants, treat skin and clothing with an EPA‑registered insect repellent, and remain on cleared trails away from dense vegetation. Afterward, thoroughly examine your body, promptly remove any attached tick with fine‑point tweezers, and disinfect the bite area.
What should you do to prevent a tick bite? - in detail
Wear light-colored, tightly woven garments that cover as much skin as possible. Tuck shirts into trousers and pull socks over the tops of shoes. Apply an EPA‑approved repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed areas and to clothing, following label instructions for concentration and reapplication intervals.
Avoid walking through high grass, leaf litter, or brush where ticks are likely to wait for a host. Stay on cleared paths and keep lawns trimmed to a height of six inches or less. Remove leaf piles, tall weeds, and brush around the perimeter of yards and play areas. Use a tick‑targeted pesticide on perimeters if local regulations permit.
Conduct a thorough body inspection after any outdoor activity. Examine the head, neck, underarms, groin, and behind the knees. Use a hand-held mirror or enlist a partner to check hard‑to‑see areas. Prompt detection reduces the chance of attachment lasting long enough to transmit disease.
For children, supervise closely and perform checks before and after play. Dress them in the same protective clothing and repellent regimen as adults. Ensure that backpacks and other gear are also treated with repellent.
If pets accompany you, treat them with veterinarian‑approved tick preventatives such as topical solutions, collars, or oral medications. Groom pets after outdoor exposure and inspect them for attached ticks.
When a tick is found attached, remove it immediately with fine‑tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady, even pressure, and avoid twisting. Disinfect the bite site with alcohol or iodine, then wash hands thoroughly. Preserve the tick in a sealed container for identification if illness develops later.
Maintain records of recent outdoor exposure, tick encounters, and any symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain. Consult a healthcare professional promptly if signs of tick‑borne illness appear, providing details of the bite and the region where exposure occurred.