Reminder from our DuPage Co Friends: Be Aware of Ticks When You Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Special Steps Can be Taken to Avoid Them

DUPAGE COUNTY—Warmer weather is here and as you make plans to be outdoors, the DuPage County Health Department reminds you to be sure to take steps to guard against ticks. Ticks are a threat year-round, but they are more active in warmer months—especially April through September.
Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass and weeds, and where the ground is covered with leaves. Ticks can carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
To protect against tick bites and the diseases they can spread, take these steps:
• Keep your grass mowed and control weeds around your home.
• Remove leaf litter.
• Clear tall grasses and brush around your home and at the edge of your lawn.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Wear a hat or head covering for added protection.
• Check for ticks on your clothing often.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET to your clothes and exposed skin (except the face and hands).
• Treat items, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents, with permethrin or use permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
• Walk in the center of trails to avoid leaf litter and tall grass.
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.

Check for ticks on children, pets and yourself when returning from outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it right away by using fine-point tweezers to gently pull it straight out.

After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Ticks can spread diseases that may cause serious illness and death. If you have a rash, or become sick with a fever after a tick bite, it’s important to see a doctor.
To learn more about ticks, you’re encouraged to view the “Tick Tuesday” series of videos, which were produced by DuPage County Health Department. The informational videos are available on the Health Department’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/DuPageCountyHD/playlists.

DuPage County residents with questions about ticks may call the Health Department at (630) 682-7400. For information about tick-borne diseases and prevention, visit: www.cdc.gov/ticks/.