Back-to-School Tick Safety: A Parent’s Guide

Olivia Abrams
2025-09-11T13:12:59-04:00

At-a-glance: Schoolyards, sports fields, and after-school hangouts can expose kids to ticks. Do a fast brush-down before they come inside, check common “tick hot spots,” and remove attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers.

TL;DR checklist

Before coming inside: 30-second brush-down of clothes, socks, shoes, backpacks with a TiCK MiTT .

After practice: quick visual check of scalp, behind ears, hairline, underarms, waist, groin, backs of knees, and ankles.

If attached tick is found: remove with tweezers, clean the area, and monitor for symptoms.

Why think about ticks when kids head back to school?

Back-to-school means more recess, sports, field trips, and outdoor time. Ticks don’t just live in deep woods; they can be in grassy edges, brushy borders, tall weeds, leaf piles, and along fence lines near schools and playgrounds. Staying consistent with daily checks is the simplest way to reduce risk.

Where are ticks most commonly found around schools?

Grassy, brushy, or wooded edges bordering fields and playgrounds

Tall weeds along paths and fence lines

Leaf piles and landscaped beds near play areas

Shaded areas where kids sit during practices or after-school activities

How to protect your child from ticks

Before school and activities

Dress in long sleeves/pants when practical; choose light-colored fabrics to spot ticks more easily.

Use an appropriate tick repellent per label directions if desired.

Tie long hair back for sports and outdoor time.

After school, practice, or outdoor play

Do a quick brush-down of clothing, socks, shoes, and backpacks with a TiCK MiTT at the door to help stop ticks from entering the house.

Check behind the ears, along the hairline, underarms, waistbands, groin, behind the knees, and around the ankles.

Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash away unattached ticks.

Kid-friendly habit

Keep a smaller, easy-to-use mitt by the entryway so kids can help with checks. Try TiCK MiTT KiDS for ages 8–12.

What to do if you find a tick

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.

2. Pull upward steadily. Don’t twist or crush.

3. Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

4. Monitor for rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if you’re concerned.
For a step-by-step refresher, see our Tick Resources .

How TiCK MiTT helps with daily checks

The TiCK MiTT makes daily brush-downs fast. In seconds, you can wipe down clothes, socks, shoes, sports gear, and backpacks before kids step inside. It’s chemical-free and reusable, and you can pop it in the dryer per directions to clean. For independent kid use, keep a KiDS MiTT on a hook by the door.

Parent FAQs

Q: Why should I think about ticks when my kids head back to school?
A: Back-to-school means more outdoor play, sports, and field trips, which are prime times for tick exposure. Even schoolyards, playgrounds, and sports fields can harbor ticks, not just the woods.

Q: Where are ticks most commonly found?
A: Ticks prefer grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. They also hang out along field edges, tall weeds, landscaped beds, and leaf piles near playgrounds.

Q: How can I protect my child from ticks?
A: Encourage kids to stay on clear paths, use repellent as directed, wear long sleeves/pants when possible, and do daily checks. Before coming inside, brush down clothing and gear with a TiCK MiTT or KiDS MiTT .

Q: What should I do if I find a tick?
A: Use fine-tipped tweezers, pull upward steadily, clean the bite, and monitor for symptoms like rash or fever. See our Tick Resources for a quick guide.

Q: How does TiCK MiTT help?
A: TiCK MiTT helps remove loose ticks from clothing, shoes, and gear before they come inside, so daily checks take seconds. The KiDS version makes it easy for children to participate.