A guide to prevention for people who enjoy the outdoors
Tick-borne Lyme Disease is increasingly being reported in Vermont, and Bennington County leads the state in incidents. To protect against ticks, walkers are advised to wear long sleeves and trousers, and to avoid high grass and leaf litter. Hats and Deet-based insect repellents also help to prevent contact with ticks.
Particularly in spring, the ticks are quite small and may not be easily observed. Walk in the center of trails and try to avoid contact with brush. Walkers should shower promptly after time spent in the woods or in open grassy areas. The Fund for North Bennington, Inc. has designed much of the course of The Robert Frost Trail with wide, mowable corridors to minimize contact with ticks. The trails in and around The Mile-Around Woods also feature many wide sections. However, ticks may be encountered anywhere in southwestern Vermont. Many people pick up ticks in their own yards.
Walkers on trails maintained by The Fund for North Bennington, Inc. should assume that they run the risk of encountering ticks, and should take suitable precautions.
For more information about avoiding deer ticks and preventing Lyme Disease, see these sources (outside links):