By Rachel Sokol 

As summer approaches, so does tick season. Over the years, both of my kids have had ticks on them, so I’ve been more diligent with that bug spray—even if it can reek. (But better safe than sorry, right?) Checking for ticks after a day outside is a solid idea to help prevent potential rashes, Lyme disease, and more. Tick safety practices are key for families during this time. 

Here’s your complete guide to tick safety, with detailed information from a board-certified pediatrician on what to do if you find one of those pesky bugs on your child’s body—or your own. 

Checking the body 

According to Dr. Daniel Ruderfer, a pediatric infectious disease expert based in Neptune, New Jersey, after spending time outdoors (especially in grass or wooded areas!) it’s important to look over your child’s entire body. “Ticks often hide in warm, hard-to-see places,” he explains. “Check the scalp, hairline, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, inside the belly button, behind the knees, and in the groin area first.” For families, tick safety involves thorough body inspection. 

What do ticks look like? 

Ticks, says Dr. Ruderfer, are small, round or oval bugs that can be as tiny as a poppy seed (called ‘nymphs’) or as large as a pencil eraser (adults). They may look brown, black, or reddish once they have fed off your child’s body/blood. Don’t panic, but they can carry bacteria that cause diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. “The longer a tick stays attached—especially more than 36 hours—the higher the risk of disease transmission,” he adds. “Therefore, early removal is important.” Practicing tick safety for your family helps mitigate these risks. 

How to remove a tick from the body 

Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. “Do not twist, crush, or use chemicals, heat, or petroleum jelly, as these methods are not recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA),” explains Dr. Ruderfer. (If you don’t own a pair of tweezers at home, now’s a good time to keep some on hand.) Implementing proper tick safety measures ensures safe removal for families. 

Can showering help remove ticks if I don’t have tweezers? 

Bathing or showering within 2 hours of being outdoors, says Dr. Ruderfer, can help wash off ticks that have not yet attached, “but it will not remove ticks that are already attached to the skin.” 

Pets can carry ticks too, right? 

Dogs can increase the risk of ticks on your child’s body (or yours!) because pets can bring ticks into the home. Check pets for ticks regularly, advises Dr. Ruderfer, and use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention for them. Being aware of tick safety for families includes monitoring pets. 

What type of bug spray is best for my child? 

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved repellents such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (for children over 3), or permethrin (on clothing only). Always follow the instructions on the label and supervise children during application. 

Once the tick is removed, do I save it to show our pediatrician? 

According to Dr. Ruderfer, it’s helpful to save the tick in a sealed bag or container, labeled with the date and where the bite happened, in case your doctor needs to identify the type of tick or how long it was attached. This can help guide treatment decisions, especially if symptoms develop. “After removing a tick, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water,” explains Dr. Ruderfer. “Watch for symptoms like a rash (that looks like a bullseye/target shape), fever, or joint pain for several weeks.” If any symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider. 

Bottom Line 

Overall, says Dr. Ruderfer, preventing tick bites by using repellents, wearing protective clothing, and checking for ticks daily is the best way to avoid tick-borne diseases. Use these strategies for tick safety in your family. 

Want more caregiver and family safety tips? Explore our full resource hub.