Tick Bite Prevention

Across the northeast there has been an increased number of ticks. Kingswood is no exception. Rising global temperatures have resulted in longer summers and shorter winters.  The ticks thrive in warm, humid climates. Also the deer population has increased, giving ticks more opportunities to feed and reproduce. These factors are out of our control.

What we can do is prevent tick borne illnesses by being diligent and careful.

• Learn about the ticks that live at Kingswood, including what they look like, their preferred habitat and when they’re most active. Deer Tick, American Dog Tick and Llone Star Tick are the most prevalent in our area. The waterfront, roadways and barn area will likely have less ticks than your campsite or the trails.
• Perform diligent tick checks. Thoroughly check your body and clothes for ticks. That includes your underarms, belly button, ears, hair and other good hiding places. The lighting in the Oasis may not be adequate.  Use a flashlight.
• Use EPA-registered repellants when exploring outdoors. These products will help keep ticks off you. This link provides a search engine to find the best product for your activities.
• If you’re hiking, stick to the trails. Ticks hang out in brush, grass and other foliage, so don’t venture off the trail when you’re hiking. And, if you can, stick to the center of the trail.
• After collecting tinder and kindling from the area around your campsite, check for ticks.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when hiking. It might be uncomfortable in the heat of summer, but the less exposed skin, the better. Tuck your pants into your socks.
• Wear lighter colors. This will make it easier to spot ticks if they’re crawling on your clothes.
• Check your pets and provide them with collars or medication.