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3:33Now PlayingAre you risking Lyme disease? Here’s how to remove ticks
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3:33Now PlayingCDC says tick-borne illnesses have now TRIPLED. Are you removing ticks correctly? Here’s everything you need to know about ticks and how you can combat Lyme disease.
Summer is just around the corner, which means tick season is in full swing. So what are ticks, exactly? And why do they suck? With tickborne illnesses on the rise, here’s what to know to stay safe this summer.
What are ticks and where are they found?
First, ticks aren’t insects. They’re parasitic arachnids about the size of a poppy seed that feed off the blood of mammals, birds and reptiles. While there are almost 100 varieties in the United States, only a few bite humans. Ticks can typically be found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or on animals. They typically wait on the tips of branches, leaves or tall grasses for prey to walk by, and the good news is they can’t fly or jump on you.
How can I prevent tick bites?
When walking in grassy, wooded areas where ticks might be found, wear light-colored clothing to help spot them easily. Tuck pants into socks, and tuck shirts into pants. Walk in the center of trails and avoid areas with high grass, too. The CDC also recommends treating clothes with insect repellents or products containing 0.5% permethrin, a common insecticide.
Shower within two hours of coming back indoors and tumble dry your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks. Tick’s saliva has anesthetic properties, so you may not even realize you’ve been bitten. Check yourself, your kids and your pets for ticks regularly. Ticks often attach themselves to warm areas such as the knees, behind the ears, groin, armpits and hairline.
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