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Tackling Ticks: How Tick Control Efforts Can Help Protect Your Family from Bites this Summer and Beyond

Date09/08/2026
  • Up close image of tick on a human finger

Summer and early fall typically mean more time spent outside: kids at camp, walking the dog, working in the yard or simply relaxing by the pool. 

And…checking for ticks?

Ticks may be small, but they are more than just a seasonal pest. They can pose serious health risks to people and pets.

The talk about ticks

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency room visits for tick bites this year have been high across the U.S., particularly in the Northeast and Midwest.

Kids and pets may be particularly at risk, given the more time they spend playing outside in grassy or wooded areas. But it’s not just the deep woods to be aware of, anyone spending time outdoors can encounter ticks – and potential bites – even just around the yard or neighborhood.

Why this matters

Certain tick species can transmit illnesses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the U.S., affecting approximately 476,000 people each year1. Alpha-gal syndrome (or the “red meat allergy”) is also prevalent and, according to the CDC, is estimated to impact hundreds of thousands of people.

What’s tricky though is that ticks can be hard to notice, and so can their bites. Ticks can be extremely small, blend into your skin or moles and often like to hide in hidden areas of the body, such as behind the knees or in your hairline. Bites can bring little-to-no pain, and their appearance could be mistaken for a simple mosquito bite. That makes personal protection, regular tick checks and prompt removal especially important.

How experts are responding

The growing public health challenge of tick bites has brought together experts across the spectrum, from health departments, research institutions, nonprofit organizations and companies that make pest control products.

Researchers are studying tick behavior, disease transmission patterns and environmental factors to better understand why populations appear to be surging and how to slow their spread. The CDC and other healthcare organizations are also utilizing surveillance efforts and data-tracking tools to monitor tick activity and tick-borne illnesses more closely2,3.

SC Johnson, for its part, has scientists working to develop more targeted tick control and prevention products and solutions to help families spend more time outdoors without the worry of bites. They’re also partnering with NGOs to ensure education and prevention efforts are in place. 

The challenge is complex, but it’s clear that addressing today’s tick problem will require ongoing science, innovation and collaboration.

 

Adult applying bug spray to child in the woods
 
Three things you can do to help protect your family 

1. Build your knowledge
The CDC and local health departments are great resources. Understanding where ticks live, their behaviors and how to remove them properly is an important first step. Families should also become familiar with tick species and tick-borne illnesses found in their area.

Education is particularly important in places where children spend significant time outdoors. The Fight the Bite initiative, developed by SC Johnson in partnership with the Alliance for Camp Health, helps provide summer camps and youth programs across the U.S. with training and resources to help create more tick-aware environments. It includes educational courses, prevention guidance, tick-removal resources and tools that camps can share with staff, healthcare providers and caregivers. 

 
2. Use proven prevention tools 
Before heading outside, consider where ticks may be present and prepare accordingly. Walking in the center of trails, avoiding tall grass and wearing long sleeves and pants can help reduce your exposure to the tiny creatures.
 
While there are a handful of precautions to take, personal repellents also serve as a great tool. They can come in different forms, including sprays, lotions, wipes and more. CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents like DEET or picaridin. Wearing insect repellent that contains 20% DEET or more, like OFF!® Deep Woods® Insect Repellent V, can be a great option. And always remember to apply as directed on the label.

 

3. Make tick checks part of your routine 
Tick prevention should not end when the hike, soccer game or afternoon in the backyard is over.
 
Encourage everyone in the family to complete a tick check after spending time outside. Check pets as well, particularly around their ears, eyelids, collar, legs, toes and tail.
 
Families can also reduce exposure around the home by keeping grass trimmed, clearing leaf litter and creating separation between lawns and wooded or brushy areas. 
Most importantly, know what symptoms to watch for after a bite. Rashes, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches or joint pain should be discussed with a healthcare provider, particularly following a known or suspected tick exposure.
 
 
Ticks are a natural part of the environment, and the risk they pose cannot be eliminated entirely. But that does not mean families have to avoid the outdoors.

By staying informed, making tick checks part of your routine and using proven prevention tools, people can reduce their chances of being bitten. At the same time, continued research, education and innovation can help communities better understand – and respond to – this growing public health challenge.

The goal is not to make families afraid of spending time outside. It is to give them the knowledge and tools they need to enjoy it with greater confidence.