Avoid tick habitats to prevent lime disease
(NC) - Are you gearing up for a long weekend at the cottage, a camping trip, or a hike in the woods this summer? Regardless of outdoor plans, it’s important to avoid contact with tick habitats, often the cause of Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is a serious illness caused by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. They’re usually found in forests and overgrown areas between the woods and open spaces. As tick populations are spreading in Canada, it’s possible to be bitten outside of these locations.
Ticks can’t jump or fly. They like to sit on vegetation like tall grasses or shrubs and climb on to passing humans or pets that may rub against them.
The best way to protect against Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. Anyone planning on trekking through the forest should avoid short cuts through thick brush and grass; and walk in the middle of maintained trails to limit your exposure.
Walkers should also:
- use insect repellent containing DEET (active ingredient to keep bugs away) or Icaridin (always follow directions);
- wear closed-toe shoes, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Pull socks over pant legs;
- wear light-coloured clothes to spot ticks more easily;
- shower or bathe within two hours of being outdoors to wash away loose ticks; and
- do a daily “full-body” check for ticks on yourself, children and pets.
More information on Lyme disease plus ways to protect yourself, your children and your pets, is available at Canada.ca/LymeDisease.
