FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 29, 2015) -- With summertime right around the corner, Fort Benning residents who spend an increasing amount of time outside may be at risk for tick bites. Ticks, most active from April to September, feed on blood and can spread disease through the process of feeding.

Protect yourself and your family by following these tips for avoiding tick-borne illness:

•Wear long sleeves, pants, sock and shoes when you go outside. Tuck pants into your socks or boots.

•Apply insect repellent with 20 percent or more DEET or wear clothes with repellent built-in.

•While you're outside, avoid lying down in thick grass or brushy, wooded areas. Stay on a clear path if possible.

•Check for ticks every time you come in from being outside. Ticks like to hide in areas such as: armpits, groin, behind the knee, in the belly button, in the hair and in or around the ears.

•Take a bath or shower to wash off ticks you can't see.

•If you find a tick, promptly remove it using tweezers.

•Kill remaining ticks on clothing by spinning them in the dryer on high heat for 60 minutes. Don't put on old clothes that might still have ticks on them.

•Check gear and pets for ticks; remember a tick could ride home on them and jump on you later.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the most common ticks in the U.S. are the black legged ticks, Lone Star ticks and American dog ticks. Parasites can spread Lyme Disease, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tickborne illnesses.

If bitten, Fort Benning residents should immediately remove the tick and watch the area for changes in appearance. Some people develop a bull's-eye rash; others do not. It's important to seek medical help if you have joint pain, fever or a rash within seven to 10 days of a tick bite.

"The good news is that tick-borne disease is easily treated with antibiotics," said Stephen Pollitt, chief of Epidemiology, Martin Army Community Hospital.

When caught early, tick-borne illness can be treated and completely cured with antibiotics. The important thing is to know if you've been bitten, and the best way to do that is with frequent tick checks after being outdoors.

"The longer the tick is on you, the higher the risk of infection," Pollitt said.

For more information about ticks and how to remove them, visit www.cdc.gov/ticks.