Ticks are tiny, bloodsucking pests that can pose a threat to you, your family, and your pets. Because of this, you'll want to take some proactive measures to protect yourself from them during tick season here in Michigan. One way to do this is to wear light-colored clothing and long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce skin exposure. You should also do a full-body check once you go inside and throw any clothes you wore outside in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes to kill any ticks that may have latched onto them. However, the best way to protect yourself from ticks is to sign up for professional tick control treatments. When you do, pros will visit your property multiple times throughout the year to apply highly effective treatments that will provide consistent, ongoing protection from these pests.

1. Wear light-colored clothing and long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce skin exposure to ticks.

Person wearing jeans in Grand Rapids, MI, spraying insect repellent.

When it comes to protecting yourself from ticks, prevention is key. One of the best ways to prevent ticks from latching onto you is by wearing light-colored clothing and long-sleeved shirts and pants. Ticks are very small and difficult to see, especially on darker clothes. By wearing light-colored clothing, you'll be able to spot ticks more easily and remove them before they have a chance to bite you. Additionally, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants will reduce the amount of skin that is exposed, making it harder for ticks to latch onto you. For added protection, tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks.

2. Do a full-body check for ticks once you go inside.

Brown tick on skin in Grand Rapids, MI.

Another proactive measure you can take to protect yourself from ticks is to do a full-body check once you go inside. This means checking your entire body for ticks, including your hair, behind your ears, under your arms, and between your legs. These pests prefer dark, warm areas that can be easily overlooked, so it's crucial to be thorough. You'll also want to check your children and pets for ticks as well. After checking yourself and your loved ones, you should throw any clothes you wore outside in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes. This will kill any ticks that may have latched onto them.

3. Sign up for professional tick control treatments.

Tech treating a lawn in Grand Rapids, MI, in front of a company van.

While wearing the proper clothing and checking yourself for ticks are great ways to protect yourself from these pests, the best solution for keeping them off your property is by signing up for professional tick control treatments. When you do, professionals will visit your property multiple times throughout the active tick season to apply highly effective treatments across your entire lawn, providing overlapping coverage when you need it most. They'll utilize products proven to work against ticks, ensuring any currently residing in your yard are eliminated while safeguarding it from future infestations. With expert help, you can have peace of mind knowing you have effective protection from these pests.

If you continue to have issues with ticks between applications, pros will usually return to re-treat at no additional cost.

Call Us Today to Schedule Our Tick Control Service

Don't let ticks pose a threat to you and others - instead, keep them off your property with our tick control service at Tuff Turf! This service includes treatments every 21-28 days from mid-April to the beginning of November, with each application lasting until the next to ensure no lapse in coverage. Not only that, but if you continue to experience issues between our service visits, we'll return to reapply at no additional charge!

Our tick control service is available to residential and commercial property owners, as well as HOAs, in Grand Rapids, Holland, Rockford, MI, and throughout the surrounding areas. Call us today at (616) 554-9499 to schedule.