Take the following steps to protect yourself from tick bites:


Wear ‘protective clothing’ to block ticks from reaching your skin. Tuck long pants in to socks or closed-toe shoes and tuck shirt into pants.

  • Use insect repellents that provide protection for the amount of time you will be outdoors:

    • Follow repellent label directions for use.

    • Use repellents containing 20%-30% DEET on your exposed skin and clothing to prevent tick bites.

    • Reapply repellents as needed.

  • Use repellents such as Permethrin for greater protection.

    • Permethrin kills ticks after a few minutes of exposure.

    • Follow label directions, permethrin should not be used on skin. Once permethrin is dried on clothing (2-4 hours) it is ready to use.

    • One application of permethrin to pants, socks, and shoes typically stays effective through several washings (stays protective for 6 weeks or 6 washings).

    • Send your clothing to be permethrin treated or buy pre-treated clothing which remains protective up to 70 washings. Insect Shield

    • Available at Brickman’s, Shirley’s Hardware, SBS the Grain Store (Vineyard Haven); Basics Clothing Company (Oak Bluffs); Animal Health Care Associates (West Tisbury). Availability may vary. Not a comprehensive list, but can update upon notification.

 

Check your skin and clothes for ticks every day. The immature forms of these ticks are very small and may be hard to see.

  • Shower or bathe as soon as possible after working outdoors to check for ticks.

  • Immediately remove ticks from your body using fine-tipped tweezers.

  • Grasp the tick firmly and as close to your skin as possible.

  • Pull the tick's body away from your skin with a steady motion.

  • Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol

  • Removing infected ticks within 24 hours reduces your risk of being infected with the Lyme disease bacterium.

  • Put clothes in dryer for 15 minutes on high heat to kill ticks after being outside. Ticks may survive through the washing machine.

  • There are actions you can take to make your yard less suitable for ticks. View or page on Residential Yard Surveys to learn more.

  • Learn the symptoms of tick-borne diseases. 

  • If you develop symptoms of a tick-borne disease seek medical attention promptly. Be sure to tell your health care provider that you work outdoors in an area where ticks may be present.


Video produced by: Martha's Vineyard Productions