Y Talk: Tips for Surviving Tick Season by Brittany Rose

Since the 1980s, reports of Lyme disease have increased dramatically to the point that the disease has become an important public health problem in many areas of the United States. Known as the “great imitator,” Lyme disease often has many common flu-like symptoms.

As we are entering the camp season I just want parents to have the basics when it comes to the information and signs to help also keep an eye on this growing disease. Ticks are now seen more commonly in our backyards, gardens and fields, where before they were mainly in the woods and forest-like settings found in the outdoors.

The Research

There are hundreds of different kinds of ticks in the world. Many of them carry bacteria, viruses or other pathogens that cause disease in humans and/or animals. Ticks don’t start out being infected with Lyme disease. They get it by feeding on an infected animal. Then they pass it along to the next animal or person they bite.

Prevention

Your best defense against tick-borne illness is to avoid contact with ticks in the first place. Your next best defense is to quickly find and remove any ticks that may latch on to you.

Avoid Tick Habitat

Ticks tend to be near the ground, in leaf litter, grasses, bushes and fallen logs. High-risk activities include playing in leaves, gathering firewood and leaning against tree trunks. When you hike, stay on cleared trails instead of walking across grassy fields.

Dress Defensively

Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. Tie back long hair and wear a hat. Light-colored clothing helps you spot ticks before they cause trouble.

You can buy clothing that has been pre-treated with the repellent permethrin at outdoor recreation stores. (The protection lasts through 70 washings.) Or, you can purchase permethrin and spray clothing yourself. (Protection lasts 5-6 washings.) Be sure to treat both the inside and outside of clothes. Spraying footwear with permethrin will prevent ticks from crawling up your shoes. In one study, those with treated shoes had 74 percent fewer tick bites than those with untreated shoes.

Use Repellent on Exposed Skin

Studies show that repellents with DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil are the most effective.

Check for Ticks

When outdoors, periodically inspect your clothing and skin for ticks. Brush off those that aren’t attached and remove any that are. They usually attach in areas that are hot (i.e. neck, under socks, behind knee, armpit, waistline, etc.

Shower

Once home, take a shower right away. This will wash away unattached ticks and offer a good chance to thoroughly inspect yourself. Feel for bumps that might be embedded ticks.

Hot Dryer

Running your clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes before you wash them will kill any ticks that may be there.

Protect Your Pets

Ticks can infect dogs and cats, too. Also, their fur can act like a “tick magnet,” carrying ticks inside your home. It is always good to check the pooch when they come in from outside just to be sure they don’t bring in a tick.

Lastly, kids ages 3-8 are those most at risk since they are outside playing and rolling around in the yard, especially this time of year. Please check daily and thoroughly to keep your family safe.

Have a happy, safe summer!

-by Brittany Rose, Camping Services Director​