With Sweet Summertime Comes Not-So-Sweet Ticks
The days are heating up and ticks are loving it! Gross!
Just a few weeks ago, my brother, who runs in wooded areas where ticks often hang out, came home only to discover that one of these disgusting little creatures made himself a little blood sucking home on his head. Removing it was a pain in the neck.
To all those like my brother with active lifestyles who are spending lots of their time outside in all different environments this summer, you need to worry about ticks! Here’s how you can avoid them, according to the Center for Disease Control.
- IF POSSIBLE, try to avoid wooded areas taken over by trees and leaves. If it’s not avoidable, walk in the center of the trails.
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
- Use an effective repellent with at least 20% or more DEET that stays on for hours. Consider protecting your clothing with repellent containing permethrin.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- Examine yourself, your pets and gear for any ticks as that may have come home too. Parents can also do a full-body check on their children.
(Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)
- If you find a tick, bathe as soon as possible to rid yourself of those unwanted monsters.
(Photo Illustration by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
- Dry your clothes on high for at least 10 minutes. The heat will do them in.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Sarah Francis is a half-Palestinian journalism junkie, a proud Charlotte, NC native with an oversized sweet tooth, and an active world traveler. Ask her where she’s headed next. (@Sarah_Francis25)
