Ticks: Avoid the enemy
To protect yourself from ticks-and reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease-follow these steps.
> Steer clear of marshy areas, and minimize your contact with high grass, brush, and woody shrubs.
> Wear long pants and tuck them into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs. Tick researchers wind duct tape around the sock-pant junction to keep ticks out.
> Wear long sleeves and tuck your shirt into your pants to keep ticks off of your torso.
> Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks more easily.
> Spread deet on your skin, or spray the insecticide permethrin on your clothing.
> At least once a day, do a tick check. Think little-nymphs, which spread Lyme disease far more than adults, are usually smaller than a tiny freckle.