Corona with a side of “Lyme”? Okay... all jokes aside. It’s TICK season! While we’re all RE-connecting with nature, make sure to keep your kids - and dogs safe too! Ticks are most active March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. Both nymphs and adults can transmit Lyme disease. Ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.
PREVENTION TIPS
Wear a hats and tie long hair back
Wear pants in the woods and pull socks over your cuffs
Wear light colored clothing (ticks are attracted to dark and humid environments)
Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin or opt for eco friendly essential oils (DIY ideas below)
Shake out all clothes and remove shoes before entering house; sanitize immediately
Tick check on yourself, family and paws
Use a sticky dog hair roller to remove ticks that may be on top of fur, surfaces and clothing
Keep your lawn mowed & free of leaf debris
Spray all natural tick & bug lawn repellant or hire a company like Mosquito Joe of Gold Coast CT
FIND A CREEPY CRAWLER?
Ugh, call in reinforcements! No, just kidding. TRY to stay calm and not freak out as the next steps are VERY important.
Run to your bathroom
Find a Tweezer & Matches or Lighter
Apply heat to end of tweezer (heat will encourage the tick to “release”)
Grasp the tick with your tweezer as far down to the skin's surface and as close to the ticks head as possible
Pull tweezer upward in a firm and steady motion. The blood sucker will try to hold on for its dear life, but make sure not to twist or rotate as you need to remove the full body. You should feel/hear a slight “pop” once the tick releases.
Take a deep breath
Place tick in Ziploc and bring to Greenwich Town Hall for testing
If you develop a rash around the tick bite or have fever/pain, aches or chills - get to you doctor immediately!
DIY REPELLANTS
Tick repellant can be made with everyday household items! Try a combination of essential oils or a simple combination of vinegar & water.
Tip: My dogs HATE the sound of a water spray bottle so I recommend spraying the solution onto a paper towel first, then gently rub onto their fur, versus spraying directly onto their coat.
White Vinegar & Water Spray: Combine one part vinegar & one part water into a spray bottom. Spray dog but ensure not to spray directly into eyes.
Essential Oils: Rose geranium, tea tree oil, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, cedarwood, rosemary, peppermint, thyme, geraniol, and garlic oil.