There are a lot of things you can do to reduce tick bites: use repellents, treat the yard, and remember to check yourself for ticks after spending time outside (just in case).
If you’re worried about ticks, you’re not being paranoid. Central Illinois gives them everything they need, from the habitats (prairies, woods) to warm weather for much of the year. But you don’t need to give up on outdoor time because of them. A few habits can help you reduce your encounters with ticks.
First, if you plan to spend time outdoors, use tick repellents. DEET and picaridin are both registered with the EPA and the evidence shows they work well on exposed skin. You can also treat clothes with permethrin if you spend a lot of time in grass or woods. It’s also a good idea to wear light-colored clothing, as it’s easier to spot ticks before they reach the skin.
Ticks usually wander on the body before biting, so a prompt, careful check often finds them before they attach. Look over the whole body, including the scalp, behind the ears, the underarms, the waistband, and behind the knees, and do the same for the kids. A shower soon after washes off unattached ticks, and a hot dryer cycle kills any riding in on clothes. (Don’t forget to check your pets too!)
Beyond this, you can also treat your property itself. Keeping the grass short and clearing leaf litter and dense landscaping helps. And if you still have a stubborn tick presence that won’t go away, that’s where a professional can help a lot.
If you're tired of worrying about ticks every time the family comes in from outside, Mosquito Squad of Central Illinois treats the brushy, shaded edges where ticks wait, helping protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
