Look for the usual spots that ticks favor such as the hairline and behind the ears, neck, armpits, waistband, groin, behind the knees, between toes. Do it within a couple hours of coming in, shower soon after, and run worn clothes through a hot dryer for ten minutes. Don’t forget to check the dog too.
Finding a tick on your body, or your kid or pet, is uncomfortable. But it’s smart to check for them and smarter still to remove them quickly. Blacklegged ticks need about 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease. The earlier you find and remove them, the lower your odds of getting sick.
Ticks typically wander upward from where they first latched on, often an ankle or leg. They look for warm, humid, protected skin. That often means they’ll find themselves around the hairline or scalp, inside the ears, or near the neck, armpits, and waistband line. Sometimes you can find them in the groin, behind knees, or between the toes. Run fingertips over the scalp and any spot you can’t see. An unfed nymph is as small as a poppy seed and often easier felt than seen. A mirror or second person can help you see what’s on your back. Kids should be checked by adults, every time.
It’s also wise to shower within a couple of hours of coming in. If you missed a tick during the tick check, you stand a good chance of washing it off. It’s also a good idea to run the day’s clothes for ten minutes in a hot dryer after washing, as it can finish off any ticks that survived a wet cycle while riding a pant cuff.
Don’t forget to check pets too! Ticks often find themselves in or around the ears, collar, armpits, groin, or paw pads of pets that spend time outside.
If you’re tired of finding ticks during tick checks, Mosquito Squad of Fenton - Brighton can help. Mosquito Squad treats the zones where ticks quest, helping protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring cycle.
