How to Prevent Tick-Borne Illness This Summer

Summer calls you outside: long walks, backyard dinners, kids running barefoot through the grass. It’s the season of fresh air and more time in nature.

It’s also peak tick season, and ticks in Oklahoma can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and Anaplasmosis. Thankfully, you don’t have to avoid the outdoors to stay protected. With a few simple habits, you can fully enjoy your summer while keeping tick-borne illness off your radar.

Below, Melita Tate, MD, and the Grassroots Healthcare team in Tulsa, Oklahoma, share six ways for you to prevent tick-borne illnesses this summer.

Know where ticks like to hide

Thankfully, ticks don’t jump or fly, but they do wait for the perfect moment to hitch a ride on you or your pets.

You’re most likely to encounter them in:

Tall grass and brush
Wooded or shaded areas
Leaf litter and garden beds

They can also live in well-maintained yards, especially near tree lines or areas where wildlife passes through.

6 ways to prevent tick bites this summer

Not all ticks carry disease, but the best way to prevent tick-borne illness is to avoid the bites to begin with. You can do that with these strategies:

1. Dress with intention

Your clothing choices can play a big role in preventing tick bites.

Choose:

Light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot
Long sleeves and pants in higher-risk areas (if it’s hot, choose summer-ready UV clothing)
Closed-toe shoes instead of sandals

For added protection, tuck your pants into your socks when hiking or walking through dense vegetation. It may not be your favorite look, but it works.

If you choose to wear clothing that’s pre-treated with permethrin bug repellent, follow the instructions on the care tag. These items must be washed separately to avoid bug repellent from transferring to other clothing in your washer.

2. Use safer, plant-based repellents

If you prefer a more natural approach, there are plant-based repellents that can help deter ticks.

While certain plant-based oils, such as clove, cedarwood, lemon eucalyptus, geranium, and thyme, have shown strong tick-repelling effects in laboratory settings, their effectiveness can vary when applied to human skin.

This is why choosing the right formulation targeted to repel ticks (and applying it consistently) is non-negotiable when using natural repellents.

If you plan on using natural sprays on your pets, make sure you purchase a separate pet-friendly version.

3. Check yourself and your kids after time outdoors

After you or your children spend time outdoors, check behind the knees, under arms, and around the waist. Look along the hairline and behind your ears. Don’t forget to check your pets every time they come inside!

4. Shower and change clothes promptly

Showering within a couple of hours can help wash away unattached ticks. Changing your clothes and placing them in the dryer on high heat can also kill ticks that may be hiding in fabric.

5. Support your immune system

You can only do so much to protect yourself from a tick bite; they’re small and can sometimes sneak past your detection. That’s why you also need to focus on boosting your immune system, so if you get bitten, your body has a better chance of fending off infections.

Supporting your immune system with nutrient-dense, whole foods, adequate hydration, good sleep, and stress management can help your body stay resilient if you do get a tick bite.

6. Use conventional repellents

If you’re spending time in high-risk areas, like deep woods, tall grass, or regions known for tick exposure, you may choose to use a conventional insect repellent.

Products containing DEET are widely studied and effective. They work by making it hard for biting bugs (like ticks and mosquitoes) to smell you, but not everyone feels comfortable using these products regularly.

If you do choose to use a repellent like DEET, apply it as directed, avoid overuse, and wash it off once you’re back indoors. Don’t apply DEET to any open cuts. You can also limit exposure by applying it only to clothing or high-risk areas rather than your entire body.

What to do if you get bitten by a tick

If a tick bites you, remove it as soon as possible. Use tweezers and remove the tick by its head. Clean the area immediately and watch out for any early signs of tick-borne illness in the first 30 days, such as:

Fatigue
Fever or chills
Muscle or joint aches
A rash (sometimes, but not always, bullseye-shaped)

If you notice symptoms after a tick bite or outdoor exposure, don’t wait to get evaluated. Call Dr. Tate today.

Questions about ticks or any tick-borne illnesses? Call or click to schedule an appointment with our team today.