Spring has arrived! As the temperatures rise and life returns to the woods, we all know what that means- out come the ticks! Here are 4 ways you can help prevent tick bites this spring.
#1 Prevent ticks by containing your hunting accessories.
As a hunter, we have all sorts of gear. That gear is also a magnet for ticks looking to hitch a ride. Be sure to place your hunting pack, hunting blind, chairs and other equipment in the bed of your truck. If you have a vehicle without a bed, place all items in a sealed plastic bag. The extra effort will help prevent the critters from roaming the inside of your vehicle and later attaching to your body.
#2 Prevent ticks by not sleeping with your pet.
Yes, they are a part of the family and we love them, but pets will have terrestrial hitchhikers that can move from one host to another. Say you and Rover hit the hay at 9 PM. You wake up at 4:30 AM to rush out and hunt all day and don’t get into the shower until 10 PM the next night. You have already lost that crucial 24 hour window for tick detection and removal!
#3 Prevent ticks by wearing tick repellent clothing.
We spend a good part of our lives outdoors. Walking the dog, hiking, hunting, fishing, camping and doing yard work, to name a few. All of these activities increase our chances of coming into contact with some type of tick. Tick proof clothing that contains permethrin, such as ElimiTick, can help you stay tick free in any outdoor environment. Insect repellents that contain DEET can also be used on exposed skin, but will need to be reapplied on a consistent basis.
#4 Prevent ticks by doing a nightly tick check.
Be diligent about checking for ticks. Not only visually, but also physically. Run your hand over the skin and hair. Deer ticks are especially small and may be missed by a visual check only.
Where To Check:
- Under the arms
- In and around the ears
- Inside belly button
- Back of the knees
- In and around the hair
- Between the legs
- Around the waist
4 Tips to Help Prevent Tick Bites
Comment (1)
Thanks for mentioning that there are lots of different kinds of tick repellant clothing. My husband is worried that he got a tick bite from our hike last week. I’ll have to buy some ointment to help prevent infection. http://bugbashointment.com/product/bug-bash/