Health officials in Haliburton are urging people to avoid becoming a meal for black-legged ticks this Thanksgiving Weekend.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit urges you to avoid the ticks right through the fall.
They can carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease and remain active in temperatures of 5 Celcius (41 Fahrenheit) and higher.
You are urged to take caution, especially while out on hikes.
The Health Unit suggests you: apply bug spray containing DEET on your skin and clothing; wear closed-toe shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and pants; pull socks over your pant legs if possible; and stay on marked trails when walking in a nature area. To keep ticks away from your property, cut the grass short and trim bushes and branches to let in sunlight.
For more tips on how to stay safe, click here
Photo via the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit