During the pandemic, spending time outdoors can have many benefits. It can be a great way to find new safe activities, get exercise, and maintain your mental health. But remember, we have blacklegged ticks in Chatham-Kent, and these ticks can transmit Lyme Disease.
Blacklegged ticks, sometimes called deer ticks, are commonly found in wooded and grassy areas. Lyme Disease and blacklegged ticks are especially common in Rondeau Park and the surrounding area. They are active during the spring summer and fall. When you spend time in their habitat, they are not always very good at staying 6 feet away.
Here are some things you can do to protect yourself from ticks:
- Wear bug spray with DEET or Icaridin when outdoors
- Wear long sleeves and pants
- Avoid walking through long grass
- Shower within two hours of spending time outdoors and check yourself for ticks
- If you find a tick on your body, remove it with fine-point tweezers
For more information about ticks and Lyme Disease visit ckphu.com/health-topics/lyme-disease