Tips for Tick Prevention
The best way to avoid tick-borne illness, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, is to not get bitten.
Awareness and prevention are imperative as the state is heating up, creating a perfect habitat for ticks.
“Anywhere that exists tick habitat in Kansas, you can potentially get a tick that could transmit a tick-borne disease,” said Ingrid Garrison, Kansas state public health veterinarian.
It’s important to take precautions against ticks whenever you spend time in grassy or wooded areas. Garrison advises wearing long sleeves and pants, and using an EPA-approved insect repellent, such as DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus, when you spend time in a tick habitat.
Dogs and cats can also become ill from tick-borne diseases. Any pets that spend time outdoors should be treated regularly with an anti-flea and tick medication.
Preventing tick bites while outdoors:
Wear long sleeves and pants; tuck pants into socks
Spray any exposed skin with an EPA-approved repellent (including DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus)
When you come home:
Dry the clothes you wore outside on high for 10 minutes
Shower or bathe
Perform a full-body tick check – don’t forget to check your hair
Check your pet’s fur if they were also outside
If you find a tick on you:
Pull the tick out by the head
Preserve tick in a bag in the freezer in case future testing is necessary
Monitor yourself for symptoms, and contact your physician if you feel ill within a few weeks of being bitten
Check the CDC website for more information about tick-borne illnesses.
