Ticks can thrive in quite a lot of environments. Ostfeld says that it’s necessary to keep in mind that completely different species of ticks use various kinds of habitats, so simply since you don’t end up on a forest stroll doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t be uncovered to ticks.
“Black-legged (deer) ticks could be present in thickets and coastal areas, or in grasses and herbaceous vegetation,” Ostfeld says. “However they’re predominantly forest creatures.”
These ticks are additionally crawlers — and sluggish ones at that, says Ostfeld. To get onto your physique, ticks wish to climb over low vegetation, foliage, logs, or different close-to-the-ground objects.
From there, they grasp the item with their again legs whereas reaching out with their entrance legs, which researchers name “questing.”
“Once they get in your garments or physique, they have a tendency to crawl upwards to seek out a great spot to embed their mouthparts and fasten,” Ostfeld says. “These spots are sometimes within the armpits, groin, again, or neck.”
Brushy and closely wooded areas are prime actual property for ticks. Being conscious of your threat in these environments is your greatest protection, Ostfeld says. While you do enterprise into such areas, use repellents, put on lengthy pants and boots, and take them off as quickly as you get dwelling.
Ostfeld recommends throwing any clothes you have been carrying into the dryer — turned to excessive warmth — as quickly as doable. Ticks love humidity, they usually’ve been proven to outlive washing and drying. However for those who toss your garments within the dryer with out wetting them, the dry, scorching circumstances ought to kill them off, he says.
It’s also possible to use bug repellents to successfully hold ticks away, he says. A chemical referred to as permethrin is offered as a sprig, and when utilized to your boots or mountaineering pants, it might kill ticks on contact.
