In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force recommends using the BLAST approach to prevent Lyme disease:
- Bathe soon after spending time outdoors. A recent study showed that people who bathed or showered within two hours of coming indoors did not contract Lyme disease as frequently as those who did not bathe or shower soon.
- Look over your body and family member’s bodies daily for ticks after outdoor activities and remove them using the method recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Speedy removal helps avoid disease transmission.
- Apply repellent before outdoor activities. Studies have shown that applying 30-40% DEET-based repellant to skin is effective at repelling the black-legged ticks that transmit Lyme disease. Read and follow all label directions.
- Spray your yard to reduce tick populations. Studies show that one application of the right pesticide at the right time and in the right place can reduce black-legged tick populations by 85-90%. Select the right product for your location and read and follow all label directions.
- Treat your pets to protect them and your family. Local veterinarians offer a variety of products for protecting animals from tick-borne diseases. Pets can carry ticks inside homes as they hide in their fur.
For additional information on how to protect your family from Lyme disease visit: LymeDisease.org, Ridgefield Health Department, or Debug The Myths.
