Simple Yardwork Hacks To Keep You Safe During Prime Tick Season in Illinois

News flash: Spring and early summer is prime tick season in Illinois! Yes, these disease-carrying, nasty blood suckers are still around in late summer and early fall, BUT they are most active, (and most dangerous), earlier in the season.

Spring is also the time when homeowners start tackling all those outdoor projects like mowing and planting, so it's important to protect yourself from becoming an all-you-can-eat buffet for ticks!

Ways to Protect Yourself From Ticks

We all know to wear hats, long-sleeve shirts, and long pants when venturing outdoors in areas where ticks like to hang out, but what else can we do to add extra layers of protection?

Personally, I hate slathering on bug spray, so I like to find other ways to protect myself, and my family, from ticks.

If a lot of yardwork is in your future, especially in areas with tall grasses and lots of shade here is a great way to keep ticks off you AND out of your pants...

More Tick Protection Tips From the CDC

Wearing hats and clothing that covers your arms and legs does a good job keeping ticks off your body, but not giving them a chance to get near your body is even better!

Here are some more helpful tick prevention tips from the CDC:

• Determine high tick areas in your yard: Ticks like to hang out in grassy, bushy, and wooded areas, especially when they're damp. If you've got a lot of trees or shady places in your yard trim your trees and bushed back the best you can to let a little sunshine in and keep the ticks out.
• Treat clothing and gear before heading outdoors: The CDC says treating clothes, shoes, and gear with permethrin provides long-lasting tick protection, and spraying some bug spray on your clothing too will up the protection factor even higher.
• Check frequently for ticks: Checking your body for ticks after time spent outdoors might seem like a no brainer, but many people don't check ALL of the areas ticks like to hide. These areas include under your arms, in and around your ears, inside your belly button, behind your knees, in and around your hair, between your legs, and around your waist.

Combining these tricks with your usual protective clothing, should significantly reduce your risk of tick encounters. Now get out there and conquer that to-do list – tick-free style!

READ MORE: 6 Disgusting Bugs You Need To Watch Out For This Summer