Personal protective measures against tick bites

Tick-borne diseases prevention

The risk of tick-borne infections is reduced by avoiding tick bites and removing ticks from the body. Ticks live on the ground and climb 20 to 70 cm onto grasses and bushes where they find hosts with the help of temperature-sensitive cells. The bite is painless, and often you will not sense a tick moving on your skin.

The best ways to avoid tick bites are to: 

• use insect repellent on exposed skin;
• wear protective clothing with long sleeves and long trousers tucked into socks or boots; and
• treat socks and trouser legs with permethrin-containing insecticide.

Remove ticks from your skin immediately. Ticks prefer soft skin and hairy areas. Always inspect the entire body for ticks after outdoor activities and remove ticks by pulling them straight out with tweezers or a specially designed tick removal tool, or use your fingers if you do not have the appropriate tools at hand.