04/21/2026
TICK ALERT: High Amount of Tick Bites Reported!
Recent data indicates a significant increase in tick bites and tick-borne diseases across the region. With warmer, wetter weather, ticks are out earlier and in larger numbers.
Protect yourself, your family, and your pets! The Russell County Health Department encourages you to follow these CDC recommendations to stay safe:
🛡️ 1. Before You Go Outside (Preventative Measures)
Use Repellent: Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin.
Treat Clothing: Use 0.5% permethrin on clothing, boots, and camping gear. It remains protective through several washings.
Wear Smart: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and tuck pants into socks to create a barrier.
🌿 2. While Outdoors
Avoid High-Risk Areas: Steer clear of wooded, brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
Stay on Trails: Walk in the center of hiking trails to avoid brushing against vegetation.
🚿 3. After Coming Indoors (Crucial Steps)
Shower Immediately: Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of Lyme disease.
Perform Tick Checks: Check your body for ticks, including under arms, in/around ears, inside the belly button, behind knees, and in hair.
Dry Clothes: Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing.
🐾 Don't Forget Pets!
Check pets for ticks after they have been outside. Ticks can hide in fur and enter your home, then attach to a person later.
💡 What to Do If You Find a Tick:
Remove it immediately using fine-tipped tweezers. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not use petroleum jelly or heat to remove the tick.
For more information on tick-borne diseases, visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors, Russell County! 🌲
Homepage for CDC's website about ticks and tickborne diseases.
