Quick Answer
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when gardening. Apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin. Conduct regular tick checks after spending time outdoors.
Clothing and Accessories
When gardening, wear protective clothing that covers your skin. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes can significantly reduce the risk of tick bites. Consider wearing a hat and socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs or onto your head. Avoid wearing open-toe shoes, sandals, or shorts.
Repellents and Insecticides
Apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin to deter ticks. These repellents can provide up to 10 hours of protection against tick bites. Always follow the instructions on the product label and take necessary precautions when applying repellents to children.
Tick Checks and Removal
Conduct regular tick checks on yourself, your children, and your pets after spending time outdoors. Use a tick-removal tool or a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to carefully remove any attached ticks. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid using home remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat, as these can cause the tick to burrow deeper into your skin.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.