Enjoy the outdoors but be tick aware!

If you're out and about enjoying some of our beautiful greenspaces this summer, stay safe and make sure you are 'tick aware'.

Ticks are small spider like creatures that feed on the blood of animals and people. They are found outdoors all year around – in woodland, long grass, some parks, and gardens but particularly in the spring and summer months.

Whilst tick bites are not painful (so it is not always obvious you have been bitten), they can sometimes cause infections such as Lyme Disease.

Some simple steps to avoid the chance of getting a tick bite is:

• Walking on clearly defined paths to avoid brushing against vegetation
• Using insect repellent
• Wearing light coloured clothes
• Performing regular tick checks. You may not feel the bite that's why it's important to do a check.

To find out more about how to be tick aware, what to do if you think you've been bitten and more, visit the Healthy Surrey website or tips and tricks to stay safe from ticks on the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) website.