What Areas Are More Prone to Ticks?

Ticks are active from the spring into the fall. In the early spring, the biggest risk is from the seed ticks, which can be hard to spot because they are so small. In the fall, you are more likely to be bitten by an adult tick. All of these ticks can carry and spread serious illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Here are some areas where you are more likely to find ticks.

Wooded Areas

Ticks are often found in wooded areas. They like to crawl up onto bushes or trees where they can crawl onto someone or something as it brushes past. If you are going into a heavily wooded area, you need to take the steps to protect yourself. If you know that you will be still for a long period of time, such as sitting in a tree stand when hunting, be sure to take precautions to prevent tick bites.

Tall Grass and Meadows

Ticks also like meadows and tall grasses. They can crawl onto you when you brush by. They are generally found in areas where the grass is not mowed regularly. Fields at campgrounds and cow pastures and other fields are all likely places to pick up a tick. If you wade through tall grass, check yourself once you leave the area so you can brush off any ticks that you see.

Leaf Litter

Ticks will bury themselves in leaf litter, especially in the fall as the weather gets cooler. If love to shuffle through piles of leaves or jump into the leaves, be sure to complete a careful tick check when you are done. You can often brush the ticks off your clothing before they find a place to attach.

Protecting Yourself

It is important to protect yourself from ticks as much as possible. One way to do this is to be sure to wear insect repellent when you go into an area that is prone to ticks. You should also dress in long sleeves and pants because ticks need to attach themselves to your skin. Tucking your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants make it harder for the ticks to find a place to attach. You should always check yourself after you spend time in an area that is prone to ticks, because the more quickly you find and remove the tick, the less likely you are to contract an illness. Another option is to treat your yard for ticks.

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