CNY Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance

2 days ago

Dogs love grassy, bushy, or wooded areas—and so do ticks! Some tick bites can cause Lyme disease. After spending time outside with your dog, make time to check for ticks and remove them immediately. Learn about all the actions you can take to protect against ticks and Lyme disease: bit.ly/notimeforlyme ... See MoreSee Less

CNY Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance

3 days ago

Happy Saturday!🥾 Hitting the Trails today? Don't Forget the Post-Hike Laundry Routine! 🧺❌🕷️

You checked your skin for ticks after your hike, but did you check your clothes? Ticks are masters of hitchhiking, and tossing your trail gear straight into the laundry hamper is an easy way to accidentally welcome them into your home.

Before you sit down to relax after a great day on the trail, protect yourself and your family with this essential 3-step post-hike laundry routine:

Step 1: Go Straight to the Dryer First (The Secret Weapon) 🔥
Do not wash your clothes first. Water alone won't kill ticks, and washing them in warm water can actually help them survive. Instead, put your dry trail clothes directly into the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes (add more time if the clothes are damp). The intense, dry heat dehydrates and kills ticks instantly.

Step 2: Wash in Hot Water 🧼
Once the dryer cycle has neutralized any hitchhikers, wash your clothes. If the fabric care label allows, use hot water. If you are washing technical gear that requires cold water, that's okay—as long as they already did their time in the high-heat dryer first!

Step 3: Clean the Hamper & Check Yourself 🔎
If you used a laundry basket to carry your dirty gear before drying it, wipe it down or wash it. Finally, do one last thorough tick check on yourself—especially around your waistline, socks, and hairline. ... See MoreSee Less