ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — If you’ve been out walking in the woods or tall grass and found a tick on yourself or your clothes afterward, you’re not alone. Many people are complaining about what they perceive as an abundance of ticks this year.

With tick season underway across North Carolina, state wildlife officials are reminding residents how to protect themselves from the potentially dangerous pests.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recently issued a lighthearted but informative guide for avoiding ticks while enjoying the outdoors.

Officials advise steering clear of wooded, grassy and brushy areas — prime tick habitats — whenever possible. If that’s not an option, they recommend wearing long pants and tucking them into socks, regardless of fashion concerns.

Insect repellents containing DEET or similar ingredients offer another line of defense. Officials urge caution when applying repellents to children and suggest wearing clothing treated with permethrin, a chemical that repels ticks.

“Be smart. Be safe. Don’t be a tick buffet,” the commission said in a social media post.

Homeowners can also help reduce tick populations through landscaping. Regular mowing and removing brush piles can limit tick habitats.

If you find an attached tick, the agency advises using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it close to the skin and pull steadily until it releases. According to TickReport, there’s no need to panic if the tick’s mouthparts remain in the skin — contrary to popular belief, this does not increase the risk of disease. The body will expel the parts over time, and aggressive removal attempts can do more harm than good.

Additional strategies for reducing tick encounters include planting tick-repelling herbs such as lavender, rosemary, mint, lemongrass, catnip and eucalyptus near patios or pet areas. Many of these plants have strong aromas that ticks dislike.

Officials also recommend:

  • Removing leaf litter where ticks hide
  • Keeping grass trimmed short
  • Creating gravel or wood chip barriers between lawns and wooded areas
  • Using essential oils like lavender or mint on pets for extra protection

According to Lymedisease.org, the lone star tick, common across the South, is particularly aggressive and can transmit multiple diseases, including ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a Lyme-like illness known as Southern tick-associated rash illness, or STARI.

For more information on tick testing, residents can visit tickreport.com.