Summer ticks: how to stay safe from dangerous diseases

The upcoming summer heralds beautiful days and less pleasant encounters with ticks. These small arachnids can carry dangerous diseases, so it’s worth knowing how to protect yourself from them. One grandmother’s method will quickly deter these insects.

You can often encounter ticks in forests, parks, meadows, and gardens. They prefer moist, shaded places and tall grass and shrubs. Remember, ticks are active not only in the summer, but you can encounter them from spring until autumn. Therefore, it’s always good to be cautious during nature walks, and after returning home, thoroughly check your body or your pet's fur.

A tick bite can lead to serious diseases, making it very important to adequately protect yourself from these arachnids. Untreated Lyme disease, which manifests as an erythema migrans rash, joint pains, muscle pains, and headaches, can lead to serious neurological and cardiac complications. Babesiosis, meanwhile, poses a particular threat to those with weakened immune systems.

We must not forget another dangerous disease, tick-borne encephalitis, which causes fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, meningitis.

If you’re planning a camping trip or an excursion to a forest or meadow, it’s advisable to wear light-coloured clothes that cover your legs and arms. Also, remember to cover your neck and wear a hat. Consider using products that mask your natural scent to make it even harder for ticks to reach your skin.

Special sprays are available in stores but may not be suitable for everyone, such as children. It’s worth considering safer, natural alternatives that effectively repel these arachnids.

It turns out that a beautiful and fragrant plant, known as geranium, can be an effective way to repel ticks. Its pungent odour acts as a deterrent to these arachnids. It’s enough to plant several geranium pots on the balcony, terrace, or garden to create a natural protective barrier. To minimise the risk of being bitten by a tick, apply geranium oil to particularly exposed areas like ankles, calves, or thighs.

Remember to thoroughly check your entire body after being in areas where ticks may be present. If you find a tick, remove it as quickly as possible using tweezers or a unique tool. See a doctor immediately if you notice any worrying symptoms within a few days.