Tick Bite Prevention

Prevention Tips:

  • Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible. Tuck pants into boots and/or socks. Wear light colored clothing to help spot ticks that have latched on to you.
  • Additionally, treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or buy pre-treated clothing and gear. Permethrin treated items can remain effective through several washings.
  • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. Find out which repellent is right for you using the EPA Repellant Search Tool.
  • Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and on animals, such as deer. When coming into contact with these environments, take the steps above to  help prevent tick bites.
  • After spending time outdoors, shower and wash your clothing. Always check your body and your pet’s body for ticks. Click here to see types of ticks and know what to look for. 
  • If you find a tick attached to your skin (or your pet's skin), do not just pull it off. Follow these steps to properly remove and dispose of ticks.

Check your body

tick_check_print

Quick Tips

Tick Tips 2023-2

Check your body after going outside. Pay extra attention to areas that ticks like to hide: in and around hair, ears, belly button, between legs, around waist, under arms and behind knees. 

Remember the acronym 'TICK' for quick prevention tips. Tuck pants into shoes, Insect Repellent with DEET should be applied to clothes & body, Check your body after being outside, Know where ticks live, See a doctor if you develop a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms.