With the weather getting warmer everyday, it is very apparent that summer is here. Many of you will be spending time outdoors enjoying the great weather with your family and loved ones. Beautiful flowers and greenery are sure to catch your eye. However, there are some tiny little visitors that are not so easy to see that are out roaming around. Ticks.

Here are some helpful tips when dealing with the pesky little bugs courtesy of NC State University, A&T State University Cooperative Extension and written by Al Cooke, Agricultural Extension Agent.

What can you do to reduce your risk?

• In woods and parks, stay on wide paths and roads when possible. Avoid brushing against vegetation.
• When practical, layer your clothing; tuck pants into socks, shirttail into pants.
• Wear light colored clothing to make ticks easier to see.
• Use commercial insect repellents on exposed areas (see cautions below).
• Before stretching out for lunch on the ground, drag a piece of white fabric over the grass and shrubs to inspect for ticks
• When in tick infested areas, examine your clothes and body at least twice a day. Frequent examination reduces the opportunity for a tick to attach itself. And a tick must be attached for at least six hours to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Once a tick has attached itself to you, there’s no need for alarm. It happens eventually to most folks who work out of doors. There are some steps you need to take to minimize risk. First step is to not listen to all the home remedies (gasoline, petroleum jelly, hot matches, etc.) Use tweezers or a folded tissue paper to reduce the possible spread of disease organisms that can penetrate even microscopic pores in the skin. Grasp the body of the tick and pull firmly without twisting or jerking. Pull straight away until the tick is pulled free.

• If the tick’s mouthparts break off, remove them with a sterilized needle as you would a splinter.
• Preserve the tick in alcohol for later identification if necessary.
• Wash the area with soap and water followed with an antiseptic such as alcohol.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Note the date of the tick bite on your calendar. If symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease develop, your doctor may want to know the date of the bite.

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