How to protect yourself and your pets this tick season

Because tick activity increases with warmer weather, so does the potential for serious health risks. As calendars turn to June, a Clemson University expert shares tips for humans and pets to stay safe.

“Ticks like warm, humid places,” said Eric Benson, Clemson Extension entomologist and professor emeritus. “The best way to avoid ticks is to stay away from places where they live, like woods or tall grass.”

If going outdoors, Benson advises:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and hats.
• Tuck pants into socks or shoes.
• Use a tick repellent on clothes, especially pants.

Where ticks live

Ticks stay close to the ground. They climb onto grass or plants and wait to grab onto passing animals or people. Ticks live in:

• Tall grass and bushes,
• Wooded areas,
• Shaded, humid places,
• Leaf piles,
• Overgrown gardens, and
• Animal bedding areas.

“Cutting grass short and removing leaves from your yard helps keep ticks away,” Benson said.

Tick bite care

People who are bitten by a tick should:

• Remove it right away using fine-tipped tweezers.
• Grab the tick close to the skin and pull upward slowly. Don’t twist or jerk.
• Clean the bite with soap and water, alcohol, or iodine.

To be safe, consider saving the tick after removal should any symptoms develop later. Here’s how to store it properly:

• Put it in a sealed bag or container.
• Write the date and location where bitten.
• Keep the sealed bag or container in the freezer.

Check for symptoms of illness within a month after being bitten. Symptoms include:

• Rash (especially shaped like a bullseye),
• Fever or chills,
• Tiredness,
• Headache,
• Muscle or joint pain, and/or
• Swollen lymph nodes.

See a doctor if:

• The tick can’t be fully removed.
• Symptoms of illness begin.
• The tick was on the person for more than 36 hours, especially in areas known for Lyme disease.

Do not:

• Burn the tick.
• Use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or oils on the tick.
• Wait for it to fall off by itself.

Protect pets from ticks

In addition to infecting humans, ticks also carry diseases that can infect pets, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis.

To help prevent ticks from attacking pets, use veterinarian-approved topicals, collars and oral medications. Pet owners should regularly check their pets for ticks after outdoor activities. Immediately remove ticks found on pets. Early treatment reduces health risks.

To remove ticks from pets:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool.
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
• Thoroughly disinfect the bite area afterward.

Symptoms pets may exhibit after being bitten by a tick include fatigue, lameness, fever and loss of appetite. Seek veterinary care if a pet shows any of these symptoms.

As tick season ramps up, Benson reminds people to stay vigilant.

“Remember, warmer weather, outdoor activities and ticks all go together,” Benson said. “But with a little protection and diligence, individuals can greatly reduce their exposure to ticks.”

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Geographic distribution of tickborne diseases

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention