Prevent Lyme Disease
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid exposure to ticks. Since this is not always possible, there are many ways to provide protection and reduce the chances of contracting the disease. Read on to learn prevent Lyme disease.
Instructions
1. Check your household pets for ticks. A dog tick is much larger than a deer tick, and it is not a known carrier of Lyme disease. If you find a deer tick on your pet, and if your pet shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian. There is no reason to suspect the disease can be contracted by humans from pets, but the tick must be destroyed to prevent direct human contact.
2. Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants when in areas known to be home to deer ticks. While this may be uncomfortable during hot summer months, it will reduce your chances of picking up a tick.
3. Provide a barrier to ticks by tucking your pants into your socks. This makes it unlikely they will find a piece of skin to penetrate and attach to.
4. Choose light-colored clothing to wear outdoors during spring and summer. This will make it easier to see the ticks on your clothing. Some are as tiny as a speck of dirt.
5. Take advantage of tick repellents that contain DEET. A mixture containing 20 to 30 percent DEET is the most effective. Spray the repellent on all exposed clothing and skin. Be sure to follow the directions and cautions on the label.
6. Stay away from areas that are wooded, bushy and overgrown with tall grass. If you must walk in an area that is known to be tick infested, stay as far away from leaf litter and tall grass as possible.
7. Provide a tick-free area around your home. Ticks thrive in areas that are humid and wooded. Sunny, dry environments are not tick-friendly. Keep your lawn mowed and remove leaf litter. If you live in an area where bird feeders attract deer, it is a good idea to remove them.
8. Ask your local licensed pest control company for bait boxes to attract ticks.
Tags: areas that, away from, deer tick, leaf litter, Lyme disease