Your Guide on How to Avoid Tick Bites Naturally

The CDC indicated in 2015 that “more than 329,000 new cases” of Lyme Disease” were contracted each year in the US. Lyme Disease, transmitted by the blacklegged tick or deer tick, is one of the “fastest-growing infectious” diseases in the U.S.A and Western Europe.

The increased cases of tick-borne diseases show that ticks are out there, and depending on your lifestyle, you may have encountered a few. But, what can you do to avoid tick bites? Is there anything you can do to prevent tick bites naturally?

You may not be in the habit of using chemicals, maybe you’re allergic, and that’s ok. In this article, you’ll find a few things you can try on how to avoid tick bites naturally.

The best way to avoid tick bites naturally is to prepare prior to going into tick-prone areas. If you fail to prepare beforehand and are bitten by ticks the effects can be devastating.

Since ticks are known hitchhikers, they will latch onto your skin once contact is made. To prevent tick bites naturally, choose your apparel wisely. If ticks aren’t able to latch on to the skin, they won’t be able to bite.  

While outdoors, it’s important to take precautions to avoid tick bites.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Avoid areas with dense shrubs and high grasses. This is the best option. If you don’t venture off into a tick’s lair, it won’t latch on to you.
• Walk in the middle of trails, NOT ON THE EDGES.
• Resist the urge to sit on logs and stumps. They can be infested with ticks.
• When handling animals outdoors,  especially dead ones, wear gloves.
• Check your clothing while outdoors. If a few ticks do latch on to you, you’ll be able to spot them.

Additional Reading:  

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After a long day in a tick-prone area, it’s important to follow a few guidelines so as to not drag ticks into your home.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Check your person and items. Do a thorough inspection to ensure ticks did not hitch a ride on your clothing or luggage.
• Check your pets. This should especially be done if your animals play a lot outdoors. A soft brush can be used to facilitate a more thorough check. If you can keep ticks off your pets, you prevent them from latching on to you.
• Wash your clothes. Your eyes aren’t perfect. You may have missed a few ticks stuck to your boots or clothes. To kill any unseen ticks, tumble your clothes in a dryer, on high heat for about 30 minutes.
• Take a shower. Do not resume your daily activities until you’ve showered. While in the shower, inspect your body thoroughly. For areas you cannot see – which ticks love – use a mirror or ask your partner to check. It’s best to be safe and check for a few days after venturing into tick-infested areas.
• Check your scalp. If you feel something on your scalp, check immediately but do not squeeze or press. Ticks love to latch on to the scalp.

Once you follow these suggestions on how to avoid tick bites naturally, you’ll save yourself and family from potential tick-borne diseases. If you have any suggestions on how to avoid tick bites naturally, do share them in the comments.