10 tips to protect yourself from ticks

It's tick season, the time of year to think about protecting yourself from the tiny, blood-sucking insects that can carry lyme disease. Here are ten precautions to take to avoid ticks: 

1. Wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. 
2. Wear light coloured clothing to make the ticks easier to spot.
3. Tuck your pants into socks and wear shirts that fit tightly around your wrists.
4. Use an insect repellent with DEET.
5. Stay in the centre of the trail when hiking and avoid the long grass.
6. Keep your pets out of the wooded areas and long grass.
7. Regularly check yourself and your children
8. Regularly check your pets for ticks before coming indoors
9. Returning from a tick-infested area, remove your clothes, shower, and do a thorough tick check.
10. Wash and dry all clothes on the hottest setting to kill any ticks left on clothes.

(Source: Sun Country Health Region)