As summer approaches, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is offering essential recommendations to help residents avoid tick bites and the potential diseases they can carry. With tick populations on the rise, it’s crucial to take preventive measures while enjoying outdoor activities.
1. Dress Defensively Wearing long sleeves and pants can significantly reduce skin exposure. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots to create a barrier against ticks.
2. Use Tick Repellent Apply EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin to your clothing and exposed skin. Repellents can deter ticks and reduce the likelihood of bites.
3. Conduct Regular Checks Perform thorough tick checks on yourself, your children, and pets after spending time outdoors. Ticks often attach in hidden areas such as the scalp, behind the ears, and in armpits.
4. Stay on Trails When hiking or walking in wooded or grassy areas, stick to the center of trails. Avoiding tall grasses and brush can decrease your chances of encountering ticks.
5. Treat Your Gear Consider treating your clothing, boots, and camping gear with permethrin. This insecticide can provide long-lasting protection against ticks.
6. Bathe After Outdoor Activities Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help remove ticks that have not yet attached to your skin.
7. Maintain Your Yard Keep your lawn mowed and clear of leaf litter. Creating a tick-safe zone in your yard by keeping play areas away from wooded or brushy areas can reduce tick encounters at home.
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ODNR also reminds the public to be vigilant for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, which can include fever, fatigue, and a bullseye rash. Early detection and treatment are crucial.
“Taking these simple precautions can make a big difference in keeping you and your family safe from tick bites,” said ODNR spokesperson Emily Carter. “Enjoy the great outdoors, but always stay mindful of tick prevention.”
For more information and detailed guidelines, visit the ODNR website. Stay safe and tick-free this summer!
