07/06/2026
Ticks are tiny spider-like parasites which live in grass, bracken and brambles, especially near the edges of woodland and on rough grassland.
Some ticks can pass on very nasty infectious diseases like Lyme disease when they bite you or your pets.
It’s easy to take measures to protect yourself, and reduce the risk of being seriously unwell, by taking these simple steps when out in the countryside;
✅ Wear light-coloured clothing so that ticks can be spotted and regularly check clothing and exposed skin for ticks that might be crawling on you and brush them off immediately
✅ Wear long trousers tucked in to socks/boots and long-sleeved tops, to reduce the chance of ticks getting at your skin to bite
✅ Use an insect repellent (always follow the manufacturer’s guidance, check it is effective for ticks)
✅ Walk on clearly defined paths if possible, to avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks may be present
✅ If bitten, remove the tick as quickly as possible. Try not to squeeze the body of the tick as this increases the risk of infection – so use a tick removal tool or fine tweezers (or fingernails if you don’t have a tool) to get underneath the tick's body and get it off quickly.
🖱️ Find out more about enjoying the great outdoors safely but https://orlo.uk/lfbSf
