What is the best way to avoid getting bitten by American dog tick?

• A. Wear long sleeves
• B. Travel along clear paths
• C. Use DEET on skin only
• D. Stay indoors

Answer: (B)

American dog ticks wait on grasses and low vegetation for a host to brush by. The best way to avoid bites while moving through tick habitat is to travel along clear, well-cleared paths where the vegetation is short and you’re less likely to contact tick-infested brush or leaf litter. This reduces the chance of a tick hitching a ride as you pass by. Protective measures like wearing long sleeves or using repellents help, but staying on clear paths minimizes exposure most effectively when you’re actively moving through areas where ticks are common.