During the summer months, we’re likely to enjoy the outdoors more, and even consider a long weekend in rustic surroundings to escape the turmoil of city life. That’s what my wife and I did several years ago when we rented a cabin by the lake, enjoyed the peace and murmurs of nature, and leisurely walks before returning to the city.
Several days after returning home, I began feeling tired with a mild headache, and slight joint discomfort. The symptoms persisted, so I made an appointment with my family doctor. Examination didn’t reveal any localized red area nor the presence of ticks. Since I was in a wooded area on vacation a short while ago, he ordered Lyme disease lab tests. To my surprise, the lab test results indicated that I had Lyme’s disease. He prescribed antibiotics. I did well. No subsequent problems.
Tick Bites are a growing concern to public health officials because they can cause serious illnesses, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or Lyme’s disease. These tiny parasites, some as small as a poppy seed, hide out in wooden or gassy areas, and don’t jump, or fly at you. They attach to your clothing, or skin when you make contact with them. You can take several steps to avoid tick bites.
The ‘Tick List’—Tick Bite Prevention
Before Going Outdoors:
- Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. People can get ticks in their own yard.
- Treat clothing and gear with EPA-registered insect repellents
- Wear light-colored clothing to help spot ticks more easily.
- Use long sleeves, tuck pants into socks,
- Pack a tick kit, bring tweezers, magnifying glass, antiseptic and extra repellent in case of tick exposure.
While Outdoors:
- Perform tick checks frequently
- Avoid contact with ticks by walking in the center of well-maintained trails.
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
- Keep pets from roaming into tall grass, or dense bush
- Sit on blankets, not directly on the ground
While Indoors:
- Shower Within Two Hours. A post-outdoor shower helps remove ticks before they attach and makes it easier to find them.
- Dry Clothes on high heat for at least ten minutes
- Check for tick bites
Some consider tick bites a minor nuisance, but they can lead to serious consequence, such as Lyme disease. Most tick bites can be avoided with a few practical precautions. Whether you’re heading out for a hiking trip, or gardening in the backyard, you might find the “Tick List” useful to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.
References
- CDC; Preventing Tick Bites, August 28,2024
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services; Tick Bite Prevention; July 15, 2024
- 5 Tips for Preventing Tick Bites and Lyme Disease; Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center; March 19, 2019
- California Department of Public Health; Tick Borne Diseases, November 1, 2024
- Heather M. Jones; How To Prevent Tick Bites; Single care, June 29, 2023
- CDC; What to Do After a Tick Bite — July 15, 2025
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.