Sprays: There are many natural and non-natural (DEET) tick sprays available. Piactive is an insect spray that is 100% DEET free, works for 12 hours against ticks and other insects and is recommended by the World Health Organization and Canadian Pediatric Society. The EPA has concluded that the normal use of DEET or picaridin shouldn’t present a health concern. Studies have shown that picaridin is as effective as DEET. Unlike DEET, picaridin is odourless, non-greasy, and does not dissolve plastics or other synthetics
Once Home: After a day or activity outdoors there are a few things you can do to keep your family safe from ticks. First, you can do a tick check on every member of the family (this includes your fur babies!) and use a lint roller all over your clothing. Next, take off all clothing at the front door, and put everything in the dryer for a minimum of thirty minutes. Third, shower or go for a bath and then do another check for any embedded ticks.
Tidy the Yard: Your backyard should be an oasis for your family, not for ticks. There are a few things you can do around your yard to help keep the ticks away. Remove brush and fallen leaves and keep wood piles tidy, and away from your home\cottage. Make sure the areas around bird feeders are kept clean, mice and other small animals that may come around for a snack can carry ticks.
Tick Kits: Safety Tree is now offering tick kits available for purchase at most classes. Each kit includes tick identification cards, three styles of tick removers (if a tick is in your ear or a pets ear a different size and style is required), magnifying glass, a container to out the tick in, instructions for proper tick removal, identification, container to save tick in, Call CanLyme for where to send tick for research, etc.
What to do if you find a tick on yourself or a family member?
- Remove the tick (without squeezing the body) as soon as possible using tweezers or a tick key.
- Keep the tick in a plastic bag or container (call CanLyme for more info)
- If bitten, wash the bite with soap and water, and then apply an antiseptic
- See your doctor and request antibiotics within the first 24 hours of the bite