It's Tick Check Time

It’s warm, everyone including our furever buddies are out and about either at the lake, walking the trails, at the park, etc. We at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) would like to remind everyone to stay safe from tick bites that can spread disease to humans.

These little creatures like to be on you and yours and take a bite. Along with them taking they also give usually in the form of a disease. It could be Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia (rabbit or deer fly fever), or Ehrlichiosis (flu like symptoms). So far, the ticks which bring along Lyme Disease are in other parts of Nebraska, they haven’t been found here in southwest Nebraska.

What can you do to prevent against ticks? Check out Preventing Tick Bites | Ticks | CDC
Do I know the repellent that’ll work for me? Find the Repellent that is Right for You | US EPA
In general, what is some good information? Ticks | CDC

A few suggestions:

• Use repellents that contain 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing for protection that lasts up to several hours. Always check the label for proper use instructions.
• Parents should apply DEET products to their children, avoiding hands, eyes, and mouth.
• Use products that contain permethrin on clothing, gear, and tents.
• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
• Check for ticks after coming in from outside, especially from wooded areas or areas with long grass or tall weeds.
• Wash clothes right away and put them into a dryer on the hottest setting to kill any hidden ticks that remain.
• Mow lawns regularly, remove leaf litter or brush, and prune low-lying bushes to let in more sunlight.
• Keep woodpiles in sunny areas off the ground.