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    A tick is an arthropod, like a spider. Ticks have 8 legs, are very small, and attach to a person or animal to suck blood. In Pennsylvania, many ticks carry diseases. Ticks can be found anywhere: outdoors in areas with long grasses and weeds, leaf piles, the woods, and even in your own yard. It's important to take preventative measures to avoid tick bites, know what to do if you find a tick on you, and understand the symptoms of tickborne diseases.

    Tickborne Diseases Dashboard​​​​

     View the full screen version of the dashboard.

    ​Tickbo​rne Diseases Information & Resources

    Diseases Transmitted by Ticks

     

    Before You Go Outdoors

    • Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
    • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA's helpful search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow product instructions.
      • Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
      • Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.
    • Avoid Contact with Ticks and Mosquitoes
      • Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
      • Walk in the center of trails.

    After You Come Indoors

    • Check your clothing for ticks.
      Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.
    • Examine gear and pets.
      Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks.
    • Shower soon after being outdoors.
      Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
    • Check your body for ticks after being outdoors.
      Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child's body for ticks:
      • Under the arms
      • In and around the ears
      • Inside belly button
      • Back of the knees
      • In and around the hair
      • Between the legs
      • Around the waist