Lyme Disease: How Do I Limit My Exposure To Ticks?

By Thomas K. Lo, MA, DC

Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months (April-September).

Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne infections. You and your family can take several steps to prevent and control Lyme disease.

Before you go outdoors know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks.

Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin is used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. There are many insect repellents, some natural, which can help you combat your exposure to ticks.

Try to avoid contact with ticks by staying away from brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter and stay on well-groomed trails when walking or hiking outdoors.

Once Indoors…

Check your clothing for ticks. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, consider a longer dry time. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is best as cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.

Examine your gear and pets. Ticks ride into the home on clothing and pets.

Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors is shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tick-borne diseases.

Conduct a full body check. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks: Under the arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button, back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs and around your waist.

How Do I Prevent Ticks From Getting On My Pet?

It is suggested that you use a tick preventive product on your dog. Cats are extremely sensitive to a variety of chemicals. Do not apply any tick prevention products to your cats without first asking your veterinarian.

How Do I Prevent Ticks In My Yard?

Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns. Place a three foot wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas and around patios and play equipment. This will restrict tick migration into recreational areas. If you have children, consider making them an outdoor space using playground turf so they don’t have to play in the grass.

Mow the lawn frequently and keep leaves raked. Stack wood neatly and in a dry area (discourages rodents that ticks feed on). Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees and place them in a sunny location, if possible