lyme disease

Tick Bite Prevention: Repel, Check, Remove

by
Group of children hiking through a sunlit forest on a wooden balance trail with backpacks nearby.

As the weather gets warmer and days grow longer, many of us spend more time outdoors — walking, gardening, hiking, camping, attending sports, visiting parks, or simply enjoying the backyard. But warmer weather also means more opportunities for tick exposure. Ticks can be active year-round, but they are most active during the warmer months, especially from April through September. That makes spring, summer, and early fall an important time to build tick prevention into your outdoor routine.

In Connecticut, tick bite prevention is especially important. The Connecticut Department of Public Health notes that several tick species found in the state can spread diseases to people, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis, and tularemia. The best protection is prevention: repel ticks before you go outside, check for ticks when you come back in, and remove attached ticks quickly and properly.

See the Tick Bite Bot — Interactive Tool for Tick Bite Management

Step One: Repel Ticks Before You Go Outside

Tick prevention starts before you head outdoors. Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, but they can also be found in yards and neighborhoods. Activities like gardening, walking the dog, hiking, camping, and playing outside can all bring people into contact with ticks.

Before spending time outdoors, use an EPA-registered insect repellent that is labeled for ticks. The CDC recommends products containing ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Always follow the product label, and remember that products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol should not be used on children under age 3.

The EPA also offers a repellent search tool that allows people to choose products based on whether they need protection from mosquitoes, ticks, or both, and how long they expect to be outdoors. This can be helpful when planning for short walks, full-day hikes, outdoor work, or family events.

Clothing can add another layer of protection. When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tucking pants into socks may not win any fashion awards, but it can help keep ticks on the outside of clothing where they are easier to spot. Light-colored clothing can also make ticks easier to see.

For added protection, the CDC recommends treating boots, clothing, and outdoor gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or purchasing permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Permethrin should be used only as directed on the label and should not be applied directly to skin.

Step Two: Check Yourself, Children, Pets, and Gear for Ticks

After spending time outdoors, make tick checks part of your routine—just like washing your hands or putting away outdoor gear. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing, pets, backpacks, coats, and other items, then attach later. The CDC recommends checking pets, clothing, and gear after being outside.

Showering soon after coming indoors can also help. The CDC notes that showering within 2 hours of entering has been shown to reduce the risk of Lyme disease and may help reduce the risk of other tickborne diseases. A shower also provides a good opportunity to do a careful tick check.

When checking for ticks, look carefully at warm, hidden, or hard-to-see areas of the body, including:

  • Under the arms
  • In and around the ears
  • Inside the belly button
  • Behind the knees
  • Between the legs
  • Around the waist
  • Along the hairline and scalp

Parents and caregivers should check children closely after outdoor play, especially after time in wooded areas, tall grass, leaf litter, camps, fields, or backyards near brush. Pets should also be checked, as ticks can attach to them or be carried indoors on their fur.

Clothing matters after outdoor activity, too. If ticks may be on clothing, the CDC recommends tumble-drying clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing. If clothes need to be washed first, hot water is recommended, as cold or medium-temperature water will not kill ticks.

Step Three: Remove Attached Ticks Quickly and Correctly

If you find a tick attached to your skin, do not panic—but do remove it as soon as possible. The CDC advises removing an attached tick promptly rather than waiting to have a health care provider remove it, because delaying removal can increase the risk of tickborne disease.

To remove a tick safely:

  1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers if available.
  2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
  3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
  4. Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the tick’s body.
  5. Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

Avoid using petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or other substances to try to make the tick detach. The CDC warns that these methods may agitate the tick and force infected fluid into the skin.

After removal, dispose of the live tick by placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it tightly in tape, putting it in alcohol, or flushing it down the toilet. Do not crush a tick with your fingers.

Know When to Call a Health Care Provider About Tick Bites

Not every tick bite leads to illness, but it is important to watch for symptoms in the days and weeks after a bite. The CDC recommends contacting a health care provider if you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick. Be sure to tell the provider when the bite occurred and where you may have picked up the tick.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease can appear 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash. The rash does not always look like a classic “bull’s-eye,” so any expanding rash after a tick bite should be taken seriously.

If symptoms develop, do not wait for tick testing results before seeking care. The CDC notes that tick testing is generally not recommended for treatment decisions because a positive test result does not necessarily indicate infection, and a negative test can provide false reassurance.

Make Tick Prevention a Habit

Tick prevention does not mean staying indoors. It means enjoying the outdoors with a few simple precautions. Before going outside, use repellent and dress with ticks in mind. After coming indoors, check your body, your children, your pets, your clothing, and your gear. If you find a tick attached, remove it quickly and correctly.

As more people head outside to enjoy the warmer weather, a simple “repel, check, remove” routine can help protect individuals and families from tick bites and tick-borne illnesses. A few minutes of prevention can make outdoor activities safer, healthier, and more enjoyable all season long.

More News from The Uncas Health District
Subscribe to Our Bi-Weekly Newsletter

Early Tick Season is Here: Tick Checks & Disease Prevention

by

As the weather begins to warm up, more of us are heading outside to walk the dog, work in the yard, hike local trails, visit parks, and enjoy spring sports and activities. It is also the time of year to start thinking seriously about ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, and many people encounter them close to home, including in their own yards and neighborhoods. In Connecticut, recent statewide surveillance found blacklegged ticks remained consistently abundant, with more than 10,000 ticks collected across all eight counties in 2025.

Ticks can spread several illnesses, not just Lyme disease. In the United States, ticks can transmit germs that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other infections. In Connecticut, public health officials specifically note that blacklegged ticks can spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, and Powassan virus disease.

Lyme disease remains the tick-borne illness people hear about most often, and for good reason. The CDC reports that more than 89,000 Lyme disease cases were reported nationally in 2023, while other CDC estimates suggest roughly 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year. Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest.

In Connecticut, tick prevention is especially important because local surveillance continues to show elevated pathogen levels in blacklegged ticks. In the 2025 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station surveillance report, 55% of adult blacklegged ticks and 25% of nymphs tested positive for the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The same report also found blacklegged ticks carrying babesiosis and anaplasmosis pathogens, with Powassan virus detected at low levels in adult ticks.

One reason early-season awareness is so important is that immature ticks, called nymphs, are very small and easy to miss. The Connecticut DPH notes that nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed, and that most Lyme disease infections occur during May through July when nymphs are actively searching for a meal. Ticks do not jump or fly; they are usually picked up from grasses and overgrown areas and often start on the lower legs before crawling upward.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

The good news is that a few simple steps can significantly reduce your risk.

Wear the right clothing when you expect to be in tick habitat. Long pants, long sleeves, closed shoes, and light-colored clothing can help you spot ticks more easily. In brushy or wooded areas, tuck pant legs into socks and stay toward the center of trails.

Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing as directed. EPA lists active ingredients including DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, p-menthane-3,8-diol, and 2-undecanone. The CDC recommends treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or purchasing permethrin-treated items.

When you come back inside, do not skip the follow-up steps. The CDC recommends showering within 2 hours of coming indoors, checking your body for ticks, and tumble-drying clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to help kill ticks.

How to Do a Tick Check

A tick check should become part of your routine after time outdoors, especially after yard work, hiking, gardening, or playing in grassy areas.

Check your entire body carefully, paying close attention to:

  • under the arms
  • behind the knees
  • in and around the ears
  • in the hair and along the scalp
  • inside the belly button
  • around the waist
  • between the legs and in the groin area

Ticks can be tiny, so use a mirror or ask for help checking hard-to-see places. Be sure to check children and pets, too.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, then pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer. Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to try to make the tick detach.

Prompt removal matters. Connecticut DPH notes that for Lyme disease, nymphal and adult female ticks generally need to feed for more than 24 hours before bacteria are transmitted. Removing ticks promptly reduces the risk of infection.

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

After a tick bite, keep an eye out for symptoms over the next several days to weeks. Common warning signs of tickborne illness include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, and rash. For Lyme disease, the CDC says the classic erythema migrans rash occurs in about 70% to 80% of infected people, though it does not always look like a bull’s-eye. Seek medical care if you develop a rash or fever after a tick bite, and tell your provider when the bite happened and where you were exposed.

A little prevention can go a long way. As outdoor season begins, taking a few extra minutes to protect yourself, do a tick check, and remove ticks promptly can help you and your family enjoy spring and summer more safely.

More News from The Uncas Health District
Subscribe to Our Bi-Weekly Newsletter

Eastern CT Sees Surge in Tick Activity — Stay Safe and Prevent Tick-Borne Illnesses

by
sign warning of ticks in the area

As we move into mid‑May in Eastern Connecticut, tick activity is rising. With warm, mild conditions replacing a short winter, our local environment has become prime real estate for ticks at every life stage. According to experts at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), including Dr. Goudarz Molaei, this year’s unusually mild winter and early snow melt have triggered an earlier and potentially more active tick season in our region.

Ticks thrive in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas where hosts like deer, rodents, and even household pets are often found. Outdoor enthusiasts, gardeners, and pet owners should be aware that ticks are no longer confined to late spring and summer. Still, they can be encountered year‑round, especially in seasons following warmer winters.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

Reducing exposure to ticks is the cornerstone of tick‑borne disease prevention. The CDC recommends several key steps to keep you and your family safe when spending time outdoors:

  • Know where ticks live. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.

  • Dress for defense. Wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and light‑colored clothing to spot ticks easily.

  • Use EPA‑registered repellents. Apply repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on exposed skin, and treat clothing and gear with permethrin (0.5%).

  • Walk smart. Stay on cleared trails and walk in the center to reduce contact with vegetation.

  • Create a tick‑safe yard. Remove leaf litter, clear tall grasses around your home, and consider a wood chip barrier to deter tick migration into recreational areas.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

Despite your best efforts, ticks can still find their way onto your body. If you discover an attached tick:

  1. Remove it promptly. Use clean, fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure—no twisting or jerking.

  2. Dispose safely. Place the tick in a sealed container, wrap it tightly in tape, or submerge it in alcohol. Avoid crushing it with your fingers.

  3. Clean the bite area. Wash the site and your hands thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

  4. Monitor and save evidence. Keep an eye on the bite site, and consider saving the tick in a sealed container for identification if symptoms develop CDC.

Conduct Regular Tick Checks

After outdoor activities, perform a full‑body tick check. Key places to inspect include:

  • Under arms

  • In and around ears

  • Inside the belly button

  • Back of knees

  • In and around the hairline

  • Between legs

  • Around the waist

Showering within two hours of being outdoors can wash off unattached ticks and is an ideal time for a thorough check.

Symptoms to Watch For

Early detection of tick‑borne illnesses is crucial. Recognizing the warning signs can prompt timely medical attention.

  • Lyme Disease: Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, and the hallmark erythema migrans (“bull’s‑eye”) rash appearing 3–30 days post‑bite. Later signs can include facial paralysis, severe headaches, heart palpitations, and arthritis.

  • Babesiosis: Flu‑like symptoms—fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue—and in severe cases hemolytic anemia and jaundice.

  • Anaplasmosis: Fever, headache, malaise, and muscle aches, typically beginning 5–14 days after a tick bite. Severe illness can develop, especially in older or immunocompromised individual.

  • Powassan Virus: Initial symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness. Severe neuroinvasive disease may cause encephalitis or meningitis, with confusion, loss of coordination, and seizures—and transmission can occur in as little as 15 minutes of attachment.

If you develop a rash or fever within days to weeks of a tick bite, seek medical care promptly. Inform your healthcare provider of the tick exposure, when it occurred, and where you likely acquired it.

More from the Uncas Health District

Tick Bite Bot: Interactive Tool Kit for Tick Bites Now on Uncas HD Website

by
woman with tick bite

We are excited to announce a new feature on the Uncas Health District website — a cutting-edge interactive tick bite management tool provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This tool is designed to help you assess tick bites and provide clear, step-by-step instructions for safely removing ticks and taking appropriate actions afterward.

Ticks can be a serious health concern, potentially transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. With the CDC’s interactive tool, you can quickly evaluate any tick bite you or a loved one may experience. The tool will guide you through the process of identifying the type of tick, understanding the potential risks, and following the recommended procedures for removal.

Once the tick is removed, the tool will also offer crucial information on what to do next, including monitoring for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses and seeking medical attention if necessary. This ensures that you are well-informed and prepared to take the appropriate steps to protect your health.

Take Me to the Tick Bite Bot

Ticked Off — Your Guide to Tick Removal and Lyme Disease Prevention

by
tick on a blade of grass

Living in Connecticut, we all cherish our state’s natural beauty. But with those scenic woodlands and brushy fields comes a potential health threat: ticks. These tiny arachnids can transmit Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne illness in the United States. Did you know that in Connecticut alone, an estimated 30,000 people contract Lyme disease each year? That’s a significant number, highlighting the importance of awareness and preventive measures.

The danger lies not just in the prevalence of ticks but also in the possibility of them carrying Lyme disease. While not all ticks are infected, about 30% of ticks in Connecticut can transmit the bacteria. Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause a range of health problems, from fatigue and joint pain to neurological issues and heart complications.

Minimizing Your Risk

So, how can you minimize your risk of encountering ticks and Lyme disease? Here are some key strategies:

  • Dress for Defense: Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when spending time outdoors. Tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.
  • Repel the Threat: Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on your clothing and exposed skin. Follow product instructions carefully.
  • Mind Your Surroundings: Stick to cleared trails and avoid tall grass and brushy areas where ticks are more likely to be present.

What to Do if You Find a Tick

Now, imagine you find a tick attached to your skin. Don’t panic! Here’s what to do:

  1. Remove Carefully: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick near its head and gently pull it straight out. Avoid squeezing the body, as this can increase the risk of infection.
  2. Clean and Monitor: Disinfect the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Keep an eye on the bite for the next few weeks, looking for the telltale “bullseye” rash, a circular red mark that expands over time.
  3. Seek Medical Attention: If you experience any symptoms of Lyme disease, such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, or the bullseye rash, consult your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a full recovery.

If you find a tick and safely remove it, the tick can be brought to Uncas Health District for free testing. This helps public health officials track tick populations and Lyme disease prevalence in the area.

Remember, in Connecticut and across the U.S., Lyme disease is a significant public health concern. By following these preventive measures and taking prompt action in case of a tick bite, we can all play a role in protecting ourselves and our community. So stay vigilant, enjoy the outdoors responsibly, and let’s all have a safe and healthy summer.