Tick Prevention Tips

Three Very Easy Tips For Getting Rid Of Ticks

The University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center is a great resource. We wanted to share their top 3 easiest ones that anyone can do, no excuses.

In a page titled, TickSmart™ Tips for TickSafe Living!, 6 tips are in the article but 3 are the most simple and easy ones to do. 

Tip #1 involves duct tape. Where would be without this 11th Wonder of the Fix-it World? Here is another great use for it when it comes to ticks. Before ticks become attached to your skin or your dog’s skin, tear off a piece of duct tape and “stick it to them” where the tick is. Peel off the tape slowly and this will take the tick with it. The tick will stay stuck to the tape and prevents them from becoming lost before you can throw them out. Use a big enough piece of tape to fold it over the tick after removing it and seal them inside. When you’re done, throw the tape in the trash. Easy peasy!

Tip #2 involves your trips to the bathroom at home. Don’t worry, this one isn’t as bad as it sounds. Since you have some private time, you are seated on the toilet, and your pants and lower garments are off it is an easy time to spot any ticks on your body. 

Ticks like to hang out for a free meal in tall grass and bush environments areas. They climb to a height anywhere from our ankles to knees. They dry out quickly in the heat and sun so they try to find shade ASAP. When they find you, that shade is under your clothes and not outside the fabric. Once they get near your skin, they begin looking for places where the skin is thin and where the biggest blood supply can be found. That is usually in the creases and folds of skin, particularly your waist and groin area.

Using the toilet exposes these areas to our view more than any other time of the day, so it’s sizes of ticksa good time to check for ticks in areas of our body normally hidden from our view. If you feel a bump on your skin in an area and you can’t see clearly, it’s a good idea to inspect more closely with a mirror and flashlight. Larvae and nymph ticks are very small so you may miss them if you are in a hurry to check. Finding a tick embedded in your skin and removed within the first 24 hours it attaches will greatly improve your chances of not getting a tick-borne infection.

Tip #3 uses something we mentioned earlier about ticks. They need damp areas and dry out very quickly in heat. Hard ticks and soft ticks all need moisture, especially hard ticks like deer ticks. Other soft ticks take a bit longer to dry out. Place clothes you wore outside in the dryer as soon as you come indoors. Do this before washing them. 

Ten minutes on high heat will dry out hard ticks and 15+ minutes will dry out the softer ones. Washing won’t destroy ticks, no matter how hot the water. Remember, they need moisture and are active in warm months so warmth and water are their two best friends. Very dry and hot are their worst nightmare. Once your clothes are finished in the dryer, wash them knowing you won’t be releasing any ticks into your closets or clothes hamper.

In addition to these tick tips, you can prevent ticks from ever reaching you when at home in your yard. Mosquito Squad of the Triad can treat a barrier treatment in your yard that serves as a barrier to ticks, as well as mosquitoes. Our proven and effective traditional barrier treatment eliminates 90% of the ticks in your yard. Preventing ticks from ever reaching you is one of the most effective ways you can prevent tick-borne infections in your family. In addition, you will peace of mind in your backyard during warmer months knowing everyone is better protected. Call the authority in tick and mosquito control.