How to Deal With a Tick Infestation

Depending on where you live, tick season usually begins in the spring and lasts until the weather becomes cool in the early fall. Ticks can cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia, Colorado Tick Fever or Lyme disease.

Keep your yard mowed and apply tick granules, available at most garden supply stores. Follow the instructions on the bag and apply several times during the tick season.

Think about keeping guinea fowl in your yard. They are known enemies of ticks and other annoying insects. You have to have a few acres, and you want to make sure there are no restrictions in your area regarding farm animals.

Treat your animals with a flea and tick repellent recommended by your veterinarian and check them frequently to make sure it's protecting them. This is especially important for an outside animal.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt and tuck the cuffs of your pants into your socks or boots if you are going to be in a tick-infested area. If your clothing is light-colored, you'll be able to see the ticks more easily should they get on you.

Spray an insect repellent containing DEET on your clothing and on exposed areas of skin. Follow the instructions and only use a repellent with less than 10 percent DEET on children.

Check for ticks several times during the day because the risk of infection increases the longer the tick remains attached to the skin. Ask someone to check any areas that you have trouble seeing. Pay attention to waistbands, under your socks, underarms, behind your knees and other warm areas of the body. Some ticks are tiny and require close inspection to see them.

Remove a tick that is attached to the skin by grasping it firmly by the head with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible. Pull firmly until it lets go. Drop it into a container with alcohol, and then dispose of it or save it for testing if you believe it to be infectious. Clean the area with alcohol after removal.