Wear Insect Repellent1

First thing, if you’re heading outside, wear insect repellent —the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): one that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or 2-undecanone.

Stay On Designated Pathways 2

If you’re hiking or walking in open space or canyon areas, stay on designated pathways. Choose wide trails and walk in the center. Remember, ticks “quest” for people and pets by crawling on leaves of grass or brush, waiting to latch on to passers-by.

Avoid Grass and Brush; Don’t Handle Rodents3

Try to stay out of grassy or brushy areas. And do not handle wild rodents. Yes, squirrels are cute! But they can come with their own menagerie of critters. Ticks, for one. Fleas that can carry plague for another.

Frequently Check Your Clothing, Body and Companions for Ticks4

Check yourself and your companions to make sure ticks haven’t hitched a ride. Dress for success. Ticks are small. Wear light clothing so they’re easier to spot. Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to keep ticks away from skin.

Leave Pets at Home or Keep Them Leashed5

Ticks love pets. Leaving them at home solves the problem. But if you can’t, keep them leashed and on the trail. If your pets haven’t already been treated with a tick and flea regimen, use insecticide powders or sprays labeled for tick control.

When You Get Home, Check Clothes, Gear and Pets6

Before you head back inside, double-check your clothes, gear and pets for ticks. Ticks can hitchhike into your home on clothes and pets — and bite you later.

If a Tick Bites You or Your Pet, Don’t Panic7

Just carefully and immediately remove it. Ticks burrow partway into the skin to feed.The CDC recommends removing ticks by grabbing them with tweezers as close to the tick’s head as possible and pulling out steadily and firmly.