PREVENTION

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES

There are precautions that you and your family can take to reduce your chances of being bitten by an infected tick.  We believe in enjoying the outdoors…a few smart tips can help keep you safe.

  • Permethrin Spray Clothes + Gear the night before

  • Bug Spray Yourself.

  • Tick-Check. Every where. Every time.

  • This means in the ears, inside your belly button, etc. Check your pets. Check your clothes. Check your gear.

  • Wash in Hot Water.

  • Yourself + Your Gear.

Tick-Check. Every time.

Conduct thorough tick checks routinely after outdoor activity. Check yourself and children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in the hair.

Prompt and proper tick removal is key to preventing Lyme disease.  See this article from the California Lyme Disease Association and Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control for more information on infection risk and tick removal timeframes.

Wash Thoroughly

A warm shower or bath will wash away ticks, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, that have not yet become engorged.  You want to remove the tick within 24 hours. Clothes should also be washed in hot water and/or placed in a hot dryer for one hour.

Check Your Gear

Ticks often come into the house on a ride. Check coats, daypacks, and camping gear.  Check gear labels to see if they can be placed in the dryer.

Check Your Pets

Dogs and cats can get Lyme disease. They can also carry ticks into your home, putting family members at risk.  Indoor/outdoor animals should be checked regularly.

From Bay Area Lyme

Pet Infections

The ticks that transmit Lyme disease to humans can also infect pets and livestock including dogs, cats, horses, and cattle. Here are some things you should know about Lyme disease and your pets:

  • Signs of Lyme disease in pets can take 2-5 months to appear
  • Lameness and joint pain (arthritis) may show up. The knee and elbow areas are particularly vulnerable and you may see your pet’s lameness shift from leg to leg
  • You may also notice change in behavior. Your pet could seem lethargic or depressed
  • If you have found and removed a tick on your pet and see any of the above symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately
  • Veterinary tick control products may help to reduce the presence of ticks on your pets. Most vet clinics carry such products
  • Your pet’s doctor could also recommend antibiotics, vaccinations against future bites, and/or over-the-counter tick control products

Other Prevention Tips

  • Walk, Bike, and Run Wisely.
    Stay to the middle of trails, avoid long grasses, and refrain from sitting on logs or leaning on trees. If you can’t avoid, be sure to tick-check thoroughly.

  • Dress Smartly.
    Wear a hat and tuck in your hair.
    Wear light-colored clothes. It’s easier to see ticks.
    Cover wrists and ankles. Tuck pants into socks and opt for long-sleeves.

  • Consider Repellent.
    Consider DEET for skin and PERMETHRIN for your clothes. A single application of permethrin to your clothing can provide up to six weeks of protection, even after repeated washings.  LEMON EUCALYPTUS OIL is believed to repel ticks and several all-natural organic sprays now exist on the market.  Find more information about tick repellents.

  • Consider treating your family’s existing clothing with Permethrin. You can send clothing away in advance of summer camps or outdoor trips to offer long-lasting, extra protection against all insects – including ticks. Insect Shield is a company that offers this service at a moderate cost. Click here for order form and instructions. You can also purchase clothing that is already treated with Permethrin from reputable retailers including REI, Columbia Sportswear and LL Bean.

  • Manage Your Property. Learn how to create a tick-safe zone at home. Learn more.