Adult deer ticks also carry the bacteria. Most abundant in late fall or very early spring, they are about the size of an apple seed and have a black head and orange abdomen. Ticks need moisture, so they do not survive indoors long. However, pets can bring ticks inside where people can pick them up while playing with the animals. Prevention and thorough checking are the two best pieces of ammunition against the ticks, which easily hide in creases, such as the armpit, groin and back of the knee.
Prevention includes wearing long sleeves and pants in heavily forested areas.
The drug Permethrin is effective, but only should be applied to clothing, not to the skin. Products containing DEET are safe for the skin. Concentrations of 30 percent can be used on adults, while 10 percent concentrations are advised for children. For more prevention, avoid sitting directly on the ground or on stone walls and keep long hair tied back. To kill unseen ticks, spin clothes in the dryer 20 minutes.