Taking precautions

When working, camping, or walking in a tick habitat – wooded, brushy or grassy places – a  few simple precautions can reduce your chance of being bitten:

• Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck your pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants. This helps keep ticks on the outside of your clothing where they can be more easily spotted and removed.

• Wear light-colored, tightly woven clothing which allows dark ticks to be seen more easily. The tight weave makes it harder for the tick to attach itself.

• Use tick repellent and carefully follow instructions on the label.

• Check yourself, your children and pets thoroughly for ticks. Inspect areas around the head, neck and ears. Look for what may appear like a new freckle or speck of dirt.

Spokane Regional Health District