Even with the best precautions, you may find an attached tick. Remove it gently with a pair of tweezers. Be careful not to squeeze the body of the tick. Save the tick in a jar with a moist piece of tissue paper, if later identification by experts is needed. Wipe the skin near the bite with an antiseptic and wash your hands with soap and water.
Homeowners can help reduce the chances of having ticks in the yard.
Clear brush and cut long grass near the house. Wood piles attract mice and should be placed away from the house. Bird feeders should be put at the edge of the yard. Certain parts of the country have reported more cases of Lyme disease. These include the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states from Massachusetts to Virginia, the North Central States, and Northern California.