Ticks are tiny parasitic insects that can easily hitch a ride into your house once they latch onto you or your pet’s body. Once inside, they can lay eggs around baseboards, furniture, rugs, and curtains, which can lead to an infestation. The best pest control measure you can take against these bugs is to avoid them when outdoors, which you can do by following the tips below. 

How to Avoid Ticks When Outside

1. Know Where They Live

By understanding where ticks are likely to live, you will know which areas to exercise caution. These insects are likely to dwell in wooded and grassy areas. Ticks also like humid environments, which makes logs and fallen branches enticing habitats. They can also be found on the animals they feed on, such as deer, mice, and rabbits. 

2. Use Repellent 

Some insecticides can effectively repel ticks. The best choice is permethrin and insecticide that will kill both adult ticks and their larvae, which are likely to carry Lyme disease.

Repellents that contain at least 0.5% permethrin can be used on boots, clothing, and camping gear like sleeping bags, tents, and knapsacks. The chemical not only kills the insect on contact, but it also prevents it from attaching to you.

3. Use the Sun to Your Advantage

Ticks larvae thrive in environments that have more than 80% humidity. They have cuticles on their bodies that quickly lose moisture, so they can’t survive in a dry environment for more than eight hours. Since these critters tend to stay in shady, humid areas, you can avoid exposure by staying in the sun.

4. Wear the Right Clothing

Ticks are tiny insects that can be difficult to spot unless you know what to look for. Their larvae are about the size of poppy seeds, and they can easily hide on dark fabrics and patterns. If you plan to be outdoors in tick-prone areas, wear light-colored clothing so that you can quickly identify the bugs if they attach to you. If you’re going to be walking through a tall, grassy area, consider wearing long pants. 

If ticks have infiltrated your home, reach out to the pest control experts at Finley Home Services for assistance. Located in Roseville, CA, these bug control experts are leaders in the industry. Their trained and licensed exterminators conduct thorough home inspections to determine the type of pest in your home before using kid- and pet-safe techniques and products to remove them from your house. Schedule an inspection today by calling (916) 741-2847, or visit their website to learn more about their services.