It's Tick Time Sponsored by Quest Diagnostics

*This post was written in partnership with Quest Diagnostics. All opinions are 100% my own.

If you know me, you know that I love my kids and my animals; wanting what is best for them just comes naturally. There are two times a year when I am on super high alert after letting them play outside, in Spring and Fall… yeah, it’s tick season. Living in New England, I have been familiar with the creatures since I was little. We joked that my Dad was a tick magnet, and to this day, when he comes to visit from North Carolina, he always manages to attract the little suckers. All joking aside, ticks are no laughing matter. An estimated 300,000 people are diagnosed with lyme disease every year but if you’re prepared, you can protect your family from ticks and spot the signs of the illness.

We live on the line of a nature preserve and it is no exaggeration when I say that animals are literally waltzing through our yard on the daily. We love seeing baby deer and gaggles of turkeys in our back yard but we also know that we are likely to see an increase in ticks with the amount of animals we see. We always do our level best to clear grasses and brush, to keep our lawn mowed and clean but it never fails, the ticks seem to always come. We are diligent about checking the dog and kids whenever they come in from playing outside but ultimately, we will always find a tick (or two) on the dog even though he’s been treated. My biggest fear as a parent, when ticks are involved, is finding to find one that’s had the time to bite and/or imbed on my child… what do I do when that happens? When Quest Diagnostics sent me the below video, I was actually really glad. I am a visual learner, especially since having kids, so to be able to get tips and tricks on spotting ticks and the signs of lyme disease, immediately prepares me for the upcoming Fall tick season.

Preparing yourself for ticks and tick bites is imperative for parents living in New England. Whether we like it or not, we will encounter them. They are able to transmit diseases to humans, some of which can be very serious. Know the symptoms: Fever, rash, body aches, fatigue, and headaches… if you are at all concerned that you or anyone in your family has been bitten by a tick, contact your doctor and also consider tick testing. Be diligent and mindful so that you and yours can enjoy a beautiful Fall day without the worry of ticks and their bites.