How to protect yourself from ticks? Spring not only brings warmer weather and blooming nature, but also ticks. That's why it's important to know how to protect yourself from ticks so you don't get diseases like Lyme disease and tick-borne meningitis.
How to protect yourself from ticks?
Long and bright clothes
When going into an environment where ticks live, choose clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Wear long pants and sleeves, high shoes, even a scarf and a cap will not be superfluous. Keep your clothes light-colored so you can spot the tick as soon as possible, and in smooth fabrics to prevent it from clinging.
Press the shirt and trousers
If you don't see a tick on your clothes, you can still prevent it from reaching your skin by tucking your shirt/shirt and pants into your socks/shoes around your waist. But since some ticks burrow into shoes and suck on socks, check your feet when you get home.
Protection with carrion repellants
Before going out into nature, use a repellant to repel ticks with their scent. However, it should be noted that these work for a limited time, so apply it several times during longer trips. Since it does not provide 100% protection, do a thorough check-up at home anyway. There are also electronic tick repellents with high frequencies that are inaudible to humans but very annoying to ticks. Repellents can be bought at a pharmacy/drugstore, or you can make your own. From citrus fruits that ticks do not like, do the following. Boil a cup of water and add citrus fruits (lime, orange, lemon, grapefruit). Let them boil for about a minute, then cook the mixture on moderate heat for another hour or so. After the time has passed, let it cool, strain it and pour it into a spray bottle. You can also pour water with essential oils into the bottle (add 10 to 15 drops to the water).
Vaccination
Healing is the most effective protection against ticks or tick-borne meningitis (TMB). It is a paid service that requires three vaccinations. You get the first two doses within a month, and the third dose only comes after a few years. Then the period is divided into five years.
READ MORE: How to safely remove a tick?
A thorough home inspection
Even if you protect yourself so well, no prevention is 100%, so get yourself checked after every trip in nature. Pay special attention to the underarms and ears, and don't leave out the scalp either.
Tick removal
You can read more about how to remove ticks in the post: How to safely remove a tick?
