To minimize exposure to ticks outdoors, which practice is recommended?

• A. Wear light-colored clothing
• B. Use repellents
• C. Check for ticks after hikes
• D. Travel along clear paths

Answer: (D)

Staying on clear, well-traveled paths reduces exposure by keeping you away from the tall grasses and brush where ticks are most likely to be encountered. Ticks quest upward from low vegetation and latch onto hosts when you brush against vegetation, so choosing a route with less vegetation minimizes the chance of contact in the first place. The other practices are valuable and should be used together with path choice, but they don’t reduce the initial risk as effectively as staying on a cleared path: repellents deter many ticks, wearing light-colored clothing helps you spot ticks early, and checking for ticks after outdoor time allows for prompt removal if any have attached.