Tick Tack No
Know your surroundings and where ticks hang out. Tall grasses, dense bushes and trees, and wooded areas are particularly important to avoid. These are the spaces most populated with ticks. If you do find yourself having visited one of the areas listed, it’s important to always do a thorough check of yourself and loved ones after potential exposure to ticks. Make sure to keep an eye on your pets as well and check them regularly. Not only can they also get ticks when they’re out doing their business, but they can bring them into your home and unknowingly transfer the tick to you or a loved one. My pup has black fur, so I purchased a flea comb that I use to check him when he comes in from outside. If you don’t have one, any comb will work. Just make sure to really go over your furry friend nose to tail.
If you are taking a hike, camping or just plan to be out in nature, make sure to wear dark colored clothing. Though it is easier to spot ticks on light colored clothing, ticks have been proven to be attracted to lighter colors and so dark is really the way to go. Wear loose fitting clothing, but make sure to tuck it in; your shirt to your pants, your pants to your socks. The loose clothing will help keep the ticks from biting through your clothes, and the tuck in ensures they don’t get in through any openings. If you have long hair or any hair really, make sure it is up, and if possible, tucked into a hat. When you get home, check yourself, a lint roller can be really helpful to run over your skin or pets fur, then throw your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any unspotted ticks, and shower to ensure any left on your skin are completely washed off.
There are companies that make clothing that repels all types of insects including ticks. One such company is Insect Shield. By treating their clothing with a proprietary formulation of the insect repellent permethrin, Insect Shield removes the need for sprays that can be harmful to the environment and to people with respiratory challenges. Aside from shirts to outerwear for men, women, children and pooches, the company sells a variety of accessories such as tents, blankets, socks, hats and scarves, all treated to protect against a range of insects. They can also treat clothes you already have. The company offers a program to send in your clothes to be treated and sent back.
Not a fan of chemicals? Me neither. I can concede when I’ve found that all other natural options have failed me, but generally not until then. Before you hit the hard stuff, there are some natural options to try and honestly, they can’t hurt. Sounds crazy, but eat garlic. I mean don’t give yourself heartburn, but make it a frequent guest in your diet. Garlic causes the body to emit a smell that ticks hate. Next get those essential oils out, cinnamon, cedar, lemon, orange, lavender, rose geranium, eucalyptus, peppermint and neem are all scents that ticks hate. Neem, eucalyptus and cedar are particularly effective when rubbed all over the skin, though they may need to be slightly diluted. They can also be diluted and sprayed on clothes for added prevention. Since these are all natural, they are safe for the whole fam, fur babies included.
by Catie Zimmerman