We have already received reports of tick bites from state employees this spring! Now is a good time to review Lyme disease and tick bite prevention with staff.

Please forward this message to employees.

Tick Bite Prevention

Tick bite prevention tips from the MN Department of Natural Resources:

1. Walk in the center of trails to avoid picking up ticks from grass and brush.
2. Wear light colored clothing so ticks will be more visible.
3. Create a barrier to ticks by tucking pants into socks or boots and tuck long sleeved shirt into pants.
4. Use a repellent containing DEET or permethrin, and carefully follow the directions on the container.
5. After being outdoors in tick habitat, get out of your clothes immediately, do a complete body check, shower and vigorously towel dry. Wash your clothes immediately as to not spread any ticks around your living area.
6. Pets should also be checked for ticks.

Resources

Additional tick information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health:

• Ticks in Minnesota
• Tick-Transmitted Diseases
• Lyme Disease Overview
• Tick Bite Prevention
• Proper DEET and Permethrin Use (MDH Video)
• How to Remove a Tick (MDH Video)