• Wear enclosed shoes and light colored clothing which makes ticks easier to locate for removal.

• Tuck pants into socks and wear long-sleeved shirts.

• Apply insect/tick repellent containing DEET, and treat clothes with permethrin. Follow the product label directions for proper use.

• Walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass and brush at trail edges.

• Upon returning from potentially tick-infested areas, search your entire body for ticks.

Expert tick identification is available at a number of state agencies. For tick identification and possible testing for certain tick-related diseases, contact your local health department environmental health division office for a tick submission kit. A tick submission kit will have all the necessary instructions and a container for mailing to the appropriate state agency.