If you’re asking yourself how to prevent Lyme disease, there are some pretty simple solutions. It begins with arming yourself with information and protection.
Know Where Ticks Thrive
With knowledge about the habitats of ticks, you can avoid being bitten. Following are places ticks are commonly found:
- Trails and woodlands with forest cover
- Grassy fields that are not mowed
- Piles of leaf litter and brush
- Yard edges near wild or wooded areas
The Northeast, the Midwest, and the Northwest of the United States are now experiencing the highest levels of risk. However, cases are growing in the south and other regions too.
Dress Smart: Your First Line of Defense
Your clothing will have a huge effect on your protection against ticks. To keep ticks from biting you, remember to:
- It is recommended that you wear long pants and sleeves, ideally ones that are light in color, in order to detect ticks easier
- Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirts into your pants
- Spray clothes with tick repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus
- Treat boots, socks, and gear such as tents, backpacks, and watches with permethrin, a chemical that kills ticks but is safe for clothing
Check, Then Recheck
Even if you’ve been outside for only a short time, make sure to do a tick check immediately after coming back inside. Be careful to check in these areas:
- Behind the ears and at the neck
- The hairline and scalp
- Armpits, waistline, behind knees
- Groin and belly button area
Another tip: Don’t forget about your pets!
The only thing that ticks like better than dogs and cats wandering around their world is getting brought inside because they are traveling with their animals when those people go back to civilization.
Shower & Clean Up Quickly
A shower within two hours of coming in from the outside can rinse off any ticks that have not yet bitten you. It’s also an excellent time for looking closely.
Here are some tips:
- Put your outdoor clothes in the dryer on high heat and run it for 10–15 minutes
- Wash clothes and gear in hot water
- If you used shoes or backpacks anywhere in woodland areas, wipe them down
Yard Work That Works
You don’t need to go trekking in the woods to get a tick. Your own backyard might be infested with them!
- Try a few gardening tricks out for tick prevention:
- Mow your grass frequently
- Remove leaves and brush piles
- Put a gravel border between the yard and the woods
- Conduct a checkup on your pet and give them the go-ahead for tick treatments
- Use environmentally friendly yard sprays to beef up your protection
Final Thoughts: Prevention is Key
It’s not necessary to be afraid of ticks, but you do need to be diligent. Lyme disease is quite preventable with a few precautionary measures and some situational awareness, whether you’re hitting the trail, walking your dog, or working in the garden.
Remember: It’s less a matter of fortune than good choices as to how to prevent Lyme disease.
Stay safe. Stay out-of-doors. Stay well.
