Ticks Are Exploding This Year: How to Protect Yourself, Your Kids & Your Pets Naturally

If it feels like ticks are everywhere this year… you’re not imagining it. Across many parts of the country, warmer winters, wet spring weather, and growing deer populations have created the perfect conditions for ticks to thrive. Families are finding them in backyards, parks, hiking trails, sports fields, and even on household pets after a quick trip outside.

The biggest concern? Ticks are more than just a nuisance. They can carry harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses that may affect both humans and animals. Awareness, prevention, and quick action are key.

Why Are Ticks So Bad This Year?

Several factors are contributing to the surge in tick populations:
Mild winters allow more ticks to survive
Increased humidity helps ticks stay active longer
Deer and rodent populations continue to spread ticks into neighborhoods
More outdoor activity means more exposure for families and pets

Ticks are now being found in:
Tall grass
Leaf piles
Wooded areas
Gardens
Playgrounds
Backyard fences and shrubs
Pet bedding and outdoor kennels
Even short outdoor exposure can lead to a tick bite

Why Tick Bites Matter

Ticks can transmit illnesses including:
Lyme disease
Babesiosis
Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Symptoms may appear days or even weeks after a bite and can include:
Fatigue
Fever
Joint pain
Headaches
Brain fog
Muscle aches
Swollen lymph nodes
Rashes

Children and pets are especially vulnerable because ticks can go unnoticed longer in hair, behind ears, or under clothing.

How To Protect Yourself Naturally

Cover Skin Outdoors

When walking through grassy or wooded areas:
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot
Tuck pants into socks
Wear closed shoes instead of sandals
Use hats when hiking or gardening
Shower quickly after being outside

Showering within 2 hours of outdoor exposure can help wash away unattached ticks.

Perform Daily Tick Checks

Check:
Behind ears
Hairline
Under arms
Behind knees
Waistbands
Groin area
Around ankles
For children, check carefully around the scalp and neck

Natural Tick Repellent Options

Many families prefer to reduce toxic chemical exposure while still protecting themselves outdoors

Common holistic tick deterrents include:
Lemon eucalyptus oil
Cedarwood oil
Geranium oil
Lavender oil
Neem oil

You can also:
Keep grass trimmed short
Remove leaf piles
Create mulch or gravel barriers around wooded areas
Wash outdoor clothing immediately after use

Protecting Pets From Ticks

Dogs and outdoor cats are major tick magnets

Check Pets Daily. Especially:
Around collars
Between toes
Under tails
Around ears
Under armpits

Speak with your holistic or integrative veterinarian about:
Herbal tick sprays
Cedar-based yard sprays
Natural grooming products
Diet and immune support
Keep pets out of tall grass whenever possible

How To Properly Remove a Tick

If you find a tick attached:
Use fine-tip tweezers
Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible
Pull upward slowly and steadily
Do NOT twist or crush the tick
Clean the area with soap and water

Avoid:
Burning the tick
Smothering it with oils or petroleum jelly
Squeezing the body of the tick
These methods may increase the chance of infection

Save the Tick — Here’s Why

Do not throw the tick away immediately

Place it in:
A sealed plastic bag
A small jar
Tape it to paper

Label:
Date of bite
Location on body
Where exposure likely occurred
Testing the tick can identify whether it carried Lyme or other pathogens

When Should You Test a Tick?

Testing may be helpful if:
The tick was attached for several hours
It was engorged or swollen
Symptoms begin after the bite
The bite occurred in a high-risk are
Many people choose to test ticks within a few days of removal for peace of mind and early decision-making

Holistic Support After a Tick Bite

A tick bite does not always lead to illness, but supporting the body early may be beneficial

Talk to us about:

Immune Support – A healthy immune system is one of the body’s greatest defenses. Hydration and mineral intake are extremely important after any immune stressor.

Proper Nutrition – Reducing inflammation may help the body recover efficiently.

Herbal Support – We can muscle test to determine exactly what the body needs for support.

Detoxing and Drainage Support – Supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways after a bite is imperative.

Paste or Poultice – Making a soothing paste or poultice is helpful in calming irritation, reducing redness/swelling, reducing inflammation, and pulling impurities from the skin.

Final Thoughts

Ticks are becoming a growing reality for many families, especially during warmer months. The good news is that awareness and prevention go a long way. Regular tick checks, smart outdoor habits, proper removal, and supporting the body naturally can help protect you, your children, and your pets this season.

A few extra minutes of prevention today could prevent serious health issues later.