Your Family's Backyard Survival Manual

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You find a tick on yourself, your child or your dog

Feel better fast Remove the tick as soon as possible, says Dr. Jobe. Grasp it near the head with tweezers and pull straight out (see cdc.gov for more info). Some ticks carry Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can develop into chronic symptoms if not treated. Lyme is seen throughout the United States, and pets can get it, too. Not everyone exposed gets the signature bull's-eye rash; see your doctor to determine if you need antibiotics.

Prevent it Keep your lawn mowed and weeded and consider spraying in May and September to kill larvae and adult ticks. Have everyone wear tick repellent and pants tucked into their socks while playing or doing yard work. Do head-to-toe tick checks on all your family members as soon as they come into the house.

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