Ticks

Ticks are most commonly found in grassy or brushy areas outdoors and attach themselves to people and pets as they brush by. These parasitic pests can move into the home when they drop off of their human or animal hosts, and some will even reproduce indoors. Tick bites can transmit pathogens that cause many human diseases, including Lyme disease. To prevent ticks from becoming a problem indoors, treat pets with a tick control product intended for use on pets and inspect their bedding and their sleeping quarters frequently. When you’re outside in high grass or wooded areas, wear long pants, high socks and closed-toe shoes and use insect repellent. When you come indoors, shower and check yourself thoroughly for bites and treat clothing in the dryer at high heat to kill any crawling ticks. Reduce tick activity in your yard by removing leaf litter and trimming grass regularly. If someone in your family has been bitten by a tick and has developed unexplained fever, aches and pains or rash at the site of the bite, call a doctor.