Tick Tips: Smart Strategies for a Safe Summer

Outdoor adventures and summer fun are just around the corner. While camping and hiking are known tick risks, everyday activities like gardening, picnicking or having a backyard barbecue can also expose you to these tiny pests. With tick encounters on the rise, it's more important than ever to know how to prevent tick bites and what to do if you find one. Sara Bayless, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner at Phelps Health, shares tips to stay safe while enjoying the great outdoors.

Tick Season Is in Full Swing

From April through July, ticks are at their most active. Whether your children are playing in the yard, exploring nature trails or enjoying the neighborhood park, daily tick checks are essential. Ticks are experts at hiding, so be sure to check the following areas:

• Behind the ears
• Along the hairline
• In the armpits
• Around the waistband
• Behind the knees

A thorough check after outdoor activities and prompt removal is a simple and effective way to prevent tick-borne illnesses.

Tick Prevention Strategies

The best way to prevent tick bites is to treat skin and clothing before going into wooded areas, tall grass and weeds, or other areas known for ticks. 

• Treat Clothing and Gear with Permethrin: Treating clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin (an insecticide) is a highly effective preventative measure. Spray clothing and allow it to dry completely before wearing. This treatment lasts two to three washes. You can also spray tents, boots and other outdoor gear.
• Use DEET on Exposed Skin: For children 2 months of age or older, DEET is a safe and effective tick repellent. A 10% DEET product is good for shorter activities, while 20-30% DEET is best for longer exposure. Avoid products that include sunscreen, as DEET can reduce its effectiveness. Apply sunscreen first, wait about 30 minutes, and then use DEET if needed.

Identifying Common Ticks

In Missouri, the most common species are the lone star tick and the deer tick. 

• Lone Star Ticks feature a distinctive white dot on the backs of females. Males may have white streaks or dots.
• Deer Ticks, also known as black-legged ticks, have dark legs and underbodies. 

It’s also important to be aware of seed ticks, the tiny larvae of various tick species, which can be particularly difficult to spot.

Tick Removal and Disposal

If you find a tick, it’s important to remove it correctly to minimize the risk of infection. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull it out with steady, even pressure — avoid twisting or jerking. If the tick’s head remains embedded and is easily accessible, you can attempt to remove it; otherwise, allow the area to heal naturally. After removal, clean the skin with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Folk remedies such as "painting" the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly are not recommended. Remove the tick as quickly as possible. Waiting for it to detach increases the chance of infection.

Once you’ve removed the tick, dispose of it by flushing it down the toilet or placing it in a sealed container or bag and discarding it in the trash. Avoid crushing it, as this can release pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses.

Signs of Tick-Borne Illnesses

Following tick removal, watch for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses over the next 30 days.

• Lyme Disease: A bull’s eye rash — a red bump with a circular pattern and a white center — is a significant indicator.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Red dots on the ankles and wrists may indicate this condition.
• General Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, and a stiff neck should also prompt concern.

If symptoms develop, promptly contact your healthcare provider.