How & When to Check for Ticks After Outdoor Activities

Why Tick Checks Are So Important in Orange, VA

Orange County has the kind of terrain that ticks love: tall grass, shaded woodlots, and leaf-covered trails. And with tick-borne illnesses like Lyme Disease and Alpha-Gal Syndrome on the rise in Virginia, quick detection matters.

As Orange, VA tick control experts, we can tell you: the longer a tick is attached, the higher the chance of disease transmission. A tick check only takes a few minutes—but it can spare you and your family serious health risks.

Even brief contact with tall vegetation or brush can result in a tick hitching a ride. Children and pets are especially vulnerable, often playing close to the ground where ticks are most active. That’s why regular tick checks should become a part of your outdoor routine, not just an occasional precaution.

When Should You Check for Ticks?

Check for ticks any time you’ve spent time outdoors, especially in grassy, wooded, or brushy areas. That includes:

• After hiking, walking the dog, or doing yard work
• After sitting on the ground or playing in the grass
• After time spent gardening or landscaping

Don’t wait until the end of the day. The best time to check is immediately after coming indoors.

And if you plan to take a shower, that’s an ideal time for a tick check—it allows you to inspect your skin thoroughly and wash off any unattached ticks before they can bite.

How to Perform a Thorough Tick Check

Start with your clothing. You can wash or even toss worn clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any hidden ticks.

Then check your body using a mirror or the help of a family member. Pay close attention to areas where ticks like to hide:

• Behind the knees
• Around the waist and beltline
• Under the arms
• Around the ears
• In and around the hairline
• Between the legs and groin area

Ticks can be very small—some no bigger than a poppy seed—so take your time. Run your hands over your skin to feel for tiny bumps, especially in spots you can’t easily see. Parents should also check children thoroughly, especially along the hairline and scalp.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you do find a tick, you can use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up with steady pressure. You should then clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

What you want to avoid is crushing the tick or using home remedies like petroleum jelly or matches. This can cause the tick to release more saliva and actually increase the risk of infection.

Keep the tick in a plastic bag or container just in case symptoms arise. If you find yourself falling ill, you might end up needing the tick for identification or testing. Mark the date and location of the bite—or take a photo—so you can provide accurate information to your healthcare provider.

Watch for symptoms over the next few weeks, including rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain. If any of these symptoms make an appearance, it’s time to contact your healthcare provider.

Protect Your Yard with Professional Tick Control

At Mosquito Squad of Charlottesville, we help homeowners in Orange, VA reduce tick populations before they bite. Our Yard Defender tick control treatment targets brush, shade, and edge habitats where ticks live and breed.

We apply EPA-registered products using precision equipment to ensure consistent, thorough coverage. Most yards see a noticeable drop in tick activity within a few days of the first application.

When paired with smart personal prevention steps—like tick checks and repellents—you can enjoy your outdoor time with greater peace of mind.

Call (434) 363-9274 or contact us online for a complimentary Orange, VA tick control assessment and quote.

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