Tips - Tick Disease Risk Reducers
NJ continues to have one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the county and 75% of Lyme disease cases are associated with contact around the home. How can tick-borne disease risk be reduced?
Tick Zone
Avoid wooded areas with dense shrubs, high grass and a lot of leaves, as these are places where ticks are likely to hide.
In The Woods...
If you hike in the woods, stay to the center of the trail to avoid overgrown vegetation.
Children
Since children aged 5-14 are at the highest risk of acquiring Lyme disease, be sure to use implement precautionary steps to limit the risk of tick bites.
Tick Season
Take extra precautions in May, June and July when ticks that transmit disease are most active.
Keep Your Yard Tidy
Make your yard less attractive to ticks: mow lawns, clear brush, and remove leaf litter. Keep wood piles away from gathering places and house.
Bird Feeders
Keep ground under bird feeders and move away from house as mice will eat the fallen seed.
Gardens and Plants
Restrict the use of ground cover that attracts deer.
Pets
Keep cats and dogs out of the woods and brush.
Tick Safe Zone
Keep playground equipment, decks and patios away from yard edges and trees and, if possible, place them on recycled rubber mulch.
Use Repellant
When outdoors, apply EPA-registered insect repellant on exposed skin and clothing according to the instructions on the label. Deet may be used on skin and permethrin should only be used on clothing and outdoor gear.
Wear Proper Cloting
Cover up. Wear long, solid and light colored clothing with pants tucked into socks. This will help prevent ticks from getting under your clothes and attaching to your skin.
Check & Inspect
Remove ticks from your clothes before going indoors.
Cleaning Clothing
Wash your clothes with hot water and dry them using high heat for at least one hour.
Daily Tick Check
Perform a daily tick check after being outdoors.
Call Backyard Bug Busters
Have your yard professionally sprayed for ticks - 82% of ticks on a property are within three yards of the lawn perimeter and a properly
