Protect Yourself from Deer Ticks & Lyme Disease: Prevention & Removal

An infected deer tick, or black-legged tick, spreads the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi when it bites you. Infections from an infected deer tick can lead to Lyme disease. Detection of a deer tick is difficult, since the size of this tick is as small as the head of a pin. To reduce the risk of tick bites, you can avoid tick-infested areas such as woods and bushy areas. Otherwise, various methods can help prevent the transmission of Lyme disease from a tick bite.

Things You'll Need

• Lawn mower
• Insect repellent
• Long pants
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Socks
• Tennis shoes
• Washing machine
• Clothes dryer

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Keep your lawns manicured.

  Remove any brush or debris from around your home, especially if you live in a wooded area, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics. Mowing your grass will also remove any potential habitat for the deer tick.

• 2

  Avoid wearing shorts outdoors in the woods.

  Walk on trails when exploring the outdoors, recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Tuck your pants inside of your shoes.

• 3

  Use an insect repellent, suggests the CDC. Apply the insect repellent every 1 to 2 hours, states the AAP.

• 4

  Wash your clothes to avoid spreading ticks throughout your home.

  Take off your clothes after hiking in the woods. Place your clothes into your washer to kill and prevent the spread of ticks in your home. Dry your clothes for up to an hour.