The body ticks require a complete skin drench best achieved by dips. However, reinfestation makes this method expensive. Insecticide impregnated ear tags control ear infesting ticks fairly well. Controlling tick-infested vegetation around the home and using contact residual insecticides in the spring on the fringe areas of the yard when ticks are most abundant reduces tick infestation of children, adults, and pets. Insect repellents for humans and shampoos or collars containing insecticide for pets can help control or reduce tick infestations.
Ticks usually require several hours of attachment and feeding before they transmit a disease.
Tight-fitting clothing around the wrists, neck, waist, and ankles reduces the chance of ticks successfully attaching to a human. Light-color clothing makes ticks easier to see and remove before they can attach. To remove attached ticks, use tweezers to grasp the tick at the point where the mouthparts enter the skin and gently pull until the tick is removed. Avoid breaking off the body of the tick from the mouthparts if possible. A persistent headache, fever, spreading rash, aching joints, and fatigue are other symptoms.