May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a timely reminder to take simple steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from tick bites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Here in Marin and Sonoma counties, ticks are a natural part of the environment, especially in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas.

At the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District, staff regularly collect and test ticks from parks and public lands to better understand local risk. These ticks are tested for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Each year, about 2.10% to 4.08% of western black-legged ticks the District collects test positive. While the risk may seem low, prevention is still key, especially during spring and early summer when tiny, hard-to-see nymph ticks are most active.

The good news is that a few simple habits can go a long way in reducing your risk.

REPEL
Use an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET (at least 25%), Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or para-menthane-diol (PMD). You can also treat clothing and gear with permethrin. When heading into tick habitat, wear light-colored long sleeves and pants to help spot ticks more easily.

INSPECT
Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks during and after outdoor activities. Pay close attention to areas like behind the knees, under the arms, around the ears, and along the hairline.

REMOVE
If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull straight out. After coming indoors, place clothing in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks. Showering soon after being outside can wash off ticks that have not yet attached.

PROTECT YOUR PETS
Pets can bring ticks into your home, so prevention is important for them too. Talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention products such as topical treatments, collars, or oral medications. After spending time outdoors, check your pets carefully, especially around the ears, neck, between the toes, and under the collar. Keeping your yard well-maintained by trimming tall grass and brush can help reduce tick habitat.

Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of spring. By staying aware and taking a few easy precautions, you can enjoy the season while protecting your health.

For more information about ticks and tick-bite prevention, visit www.msmosquito.org