Spring and summer are hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking seasons. It is also the time of year when ticks are out.
Here are a few tips to keep you safe from looming tick bites. From the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism Facebook page:
DRESS ā Wear protective clothing when practical. Light-colored clothing helps make ticks more visible. When hiking, wear a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants, long pants tucked into high socks and over-the-ankle shoes to keep ticks out.
DEET ā Insect repellents also reduce the risk of bites. When outdoors, use insect repellant containing 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing for protection that lasts up to several hours.
AVOID ā Ticks are usually found on vegetation close to the ground. In addition to regular mowing, avoid wooded or bushy areas with tall grass and leaf litter, and walk in the center of trails.
CHECK - Check yourself at least every two hours for ticks when outside for extended periods of time. Pay special attention to areas in and around your hair, ears, armpits, groin, navel and backs of the knees. Promptly remove a tick if one is found. The sooner a tick is removed, the less chance it has to transmit a disease to its host. If you find a tick, grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and slowly pull it straight out. Do not crush or puncture the tick and try to avoid touching the tick with your bare hands. Thoroughly disinfect the bite area and wash your hands immediately after removal. Also examine pets and gear, as ticks can ride into the home on animals, coats, backpacks, blankets, etc.