As temperatures rise and Texans spend more time outdoors, the risk of tick bites (and possibly contracting tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease) increases.
Ticks thrive in areas where there is moisture and they are most likely to “catch a ride” on a host to feed on—they’re very good at waiting and finding those hosts (including humans), as they can detect heat, carbon dioxide, shadows and vibrations. “Hot spots” for tick life include edge habitats (transition spots between clean/manicured grass and rough/naturalized areas with tall grasses and shrubs); wooded areas; and under leaves, woodpiles, stone walls and groundcover.
Staff from Texas A&M AgriLife Research recommend the following steps to spot and avoid ticks:
- Wear light colored clothing
- Tuck pants into boots or socks when walking through tall grass or brush
- Consider using masking tape barriers made by folding tape lengthwise and wrapping around your tucked pant legs with the sticky side facing out to trap ticks as they crawl
- Apply EPA-approved tick repellent
- Always perform a tick check after outside activities, for humans as well as pets. A proper tick check inspection includes behind the ears, on the scalp, the waistline and under arms and legs.
More information (including how to identify and safely remove a tick): click here
