Protect yourself, and others are the mantra these days. It is necessary for the health and safety of us all. PPE for COVID 19 seems to be here to stay for a while. I believe in prevention for both COVID 19 and Lyme disease. The PPE changes to guard against a virus versus a tick that potentially delivers pathogen when it bites. If you have a yard, it is a place of respite from COVID 19 PPE. Use Lyme PPE for your yard as a habit if you live in a Lyme endemic area. Do You?
Many people in New England are actively protecting themselves with social distancing and others by wearing a face covering for the coronavirus. Others choose not to. Many more resist taking precautions against deer tick bites. Guidelines on PPE for ticks, are out there to help. How do you take care to protect your family?
Lyme PPE For Yard Work
Yesterday, I was out mowing the lawn and trimming branches as part of my yard work. I love to work outdoors and the sense of satisfaction that a mowed lawn, and pruned branches bring. Mowing creates a habitat ticks like less.
I geared up with personal Lyme PPE to take care of the yard. I was in light-colored clothing with long sleeves, gloves, pants tucked into socks, a hat, and a face net. My socks and face-net were permethrin-treated.
My repellent is the next step in the process. Tick repellents are an extra deterrent to make the path to skin more elusive. I sprayed my arms, legs, back, and shoes with my favorite natural tick spray, Nantucket Spider Extra Strong. (This is not a sponsored link, no money changes hands) I just like the way it smells, the safety profile, and how it works for me.
We keep Nantucket Spider on the shelf by the door for when I go out into the yard, and in my tick bite protection kit, I take out on trails.. The large bottle has a wide-angle spray nozzle that mists the repellent broadly, making it easy to get full coverage and protection. I don’t spray myself with DEET or other pesticides regularly by choice. I don’t want to accumulate pesticide residue in my body.
Keep Repellent Application Fresh
I apply repellent right before I go out to mow. We have a lot of lawn to keep up with, before Lyme we had a meadow. Now my husband and I mow in tandem to keep the grass trimmed and lower the likelihood of ticks. Hubby mentioned yesterday that he could detect the spicy scent of the Nantucket Spider once in a while when we walked past each other. That he could smell me is a good thing.
Each time I stop to fill the old push mower up with gasoline, I drink some water then give myself another spritz. Repellents only work if the tick detects them and stops moving towards a place to attach. Afterward, I throw clothes and sneakers in the dryer for 20 minutes on high and head up to the shower for inspection and clean up.
Working through fear of outdoors with the insects and ticks is big for me. I am sensitive to black fly bites, yellow jacket stings and for sure do not want anymore to do with tick-borne illness. Precautions and a natural repellent help me feel safer and enjoy my time outdoors, and they protect me from tick exposure.
Lyme PPE Only Works When You Use It
Find the PPE, habits, precautions, and products you will consistently do and use. Make it a habit to protect yourself and your family from tick exposure, just like you wear a face mask when you go to the grocery. Teach your kids how to take care of themselves, so they can feel confident and have fun.
Then go out and enjoy nature in your backyard and beyond. Remember to bring your Lyme PPE and COVID PPE, your hat, repellent, masks, and face shields if you go on public trails. Enjoy free time in nature with your family.
The purpose of this article is to share and educate on tick bite protection strategies. The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment, or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.