Ah… Spring! As much as we hate to think about it, one of the things that come with our warmer weather is the increased likelihood of sharing our outdoor activities with ticks. Fortunately there are several tactics you can use to prevent tick bites and reduce your risk of tick-borne disease.
Dress Appropriately
Most ticks are picked up by the lower legs from leaf litter, tips of grass, etc. Deer Ticks (I. scapularis) especially seek a host higher than the surrounding vegetation. Wear light-colored clothing preferably tucking your pant legs into socks. Once home, remove the clothing and immediately wash & dry them. While some tick can survive a warm or hot water wash - they cannot survive one hour in the dryer.
If using a repellant, make sure to follow the instructions carefully!
Backyard Maintenance
Studies have shown that the number of ticks near your home
can be reduced up to 50% by the way you landscape and maintain your property.
Create a zone-defense by clearing out low brush, leaf litter, and overhanging
branches every year. This increases
light and reduces dampness and makes your yard less attractive to ticks. Create
a dry barrier between your yard and any adjoining wooded area with a gravel or
mulch border.
Don't Attract Wildlife
Small animals like mice and birds are also tick hosts and
are the cause of infecting the ticks with Lyme disease. Keep wood piles and
bird feeders out of your designated zone. Use deer resistant plant to help
detract them from visiting your yard.
Ticks and the Family Pet
There are some small animals that we are not willing to
banish from our yards. Cats & Dogs frequently are free to roam from yard to
house and are therefore a source of concern. Check with your veterinarian to
learn more about preventives such as topical medication, tick collars, and
vaccines. Plan to have your pets tested annually to ensure they continue to
live a healthy and active life.
Learn more:
www.lymediseaseassociation.org
www.cdc.gov
www.dogsandticks.com
