Protect yourself and your family from Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other tick-bornediseases by knowing the following the 4 tips below:   

1. How can I avoid getting tick bites?

• Apply insect repellent before you go outdoors. Make sure your repellant has an EPA registration number on the back of the label.
• When walking in wooded or high grass areas wear long sleeves, and tuck your pants into your socks.
• Wear light colored clothing so you can see any ticks crawling on your clothes.

2. Know what to look for: Young ticks have six legs, and mature ticks have eight legs. They are about the size of a sesame seed, and males are black; females have a brick-red abdomen with a black shield-like plate close to their head

3. How do I get rid of ticks around my house? Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in or near wooded or grassy areas. Keep play areas away from shrubs, bushes, and other vegetation. Also, regularly remove leaf litter and clear tall grasses and brush around homes. Also place wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to keep ticks away from recreational areas. Check your clothing for ticks before entering your home. Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks after you have been outdoors.

4. Insect repellent safety tips: Be sure to follow these recommendations when applying insect repellent:

• Reapply repellents according to product instructions, and after swimming and/or heavy perspiration.
• Use enough repellent to cover exposed skin or clothing.
• Don’t apply repellent to skin that is under clothing.
• Don’t apply repellent to cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
• Don’t spray aerosol or pump products in enclosed areas.
• Don’t apply aerosol or pump products directly to your face. Spray your hands and then rub them carefully over your face, avoiding eyes and mouth.
• Parents should apply repellent to children – avoid applying to children’s hands, eyes and mouth.

Where to learn more:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/StopTicks/