Yesterday’s post inspired me to write another on the topic of ticks. After communicating the significance of being wary of these bastards and discussing the areas in which they often reside, I thought it would be helpful to share some of my own knowledge and tips for avoiding them entirely.
If you work outdoors, it’s almost impossible to entirely protect yourself from a tick bite. But, there are certainly things you can do to reduce the likelihood of having one decide to feast from you, and they’re not as complicated as you might think.
The first piece of advice I can offer to prevent tick bites is to wear appropriate clothing when you’re in an area where they exist. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat, and tall boots if possible, and to go the extra mile, duct tape the bottom of your pants to your legs to ensure they can’t climb inside.
This isn’t a tip to avoid ticks, but if you’re curious just how many might be in your area, tape duct tape with the sticky side facing out to your calf and go for a walk. You will likely be surprised how many end up sticking to you.
Lavender is an effective repellent against ticks. Use some lavender essential oil and put a few drops in a spray bottle with some water, and douse yourself. You can also use bug spray that is formulated with DEET as it deters ticks.
If you can, avoid areas where you know ticks live. Easier said than done, granted, depending on your line of work, but if you do find yourself in a very grassy and overgrown area, try to clean up what you can before entering.
If you develop a bullseye rash after being bitten by a tick, or if you find one on you, place it in a secure container with tweezers and have it tested to determine if it carries Lyme.
Photo by Marino Linic on Unsplash
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