The hazard
Outdoor crews work where ticks, mosquitoes and stinging insects live: tall grass, brush, wood piles, eaves and equipment that has sat for a while. Ticks and mosquitoes can spread diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus, and a sting can set off a severe allergic reaction that needs emergency care right away.
The action
After work, check your whole body, especially your scalp, ears, armpits, waist, the backs of your knees and your groin. If you find a tick, grab it close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and pull straight up with steady, even pressure. Do not twist it, burn it or smother it with nail polish or petroleum jelly. Clean the bite, report it, and see a doctor if you get a rash, fever or body aches in the weeks after.
ASK THE CREW
How do you check for ticks after work, and what do you do if you find one?
From the talk: Insects, ticks and stings. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.