Combined, the Ulster and Dutchess Counties of New York account for some 35% of all Lyme Disease cases in the United States. Lyme is a very serious affliction with a wide array of unpleasant and sometimes lifelong symptoms. Unfortunately, Lyme is especially a danger to those who love to scrabble around in the woods and fields looking for hidden mushroom treasure, yet it is avoidable if vigilant care is taken to steer clear of the parasite responsible for its introduction to humans.
Deer ticks are the evil culprit and they are just about everywhere. Some places seem to have almost none at all and others are absolutely plagued with them. Spring and Fall are the periods of greatest activity for ticks. The microorganism responsible for Lyme Disease is introduced to the human bloodstream usually some hours after the tick has attached itself to the skin. Not all deer ticks have the pathogen, but total avoidance of ticks is key to living a Lyme-free existence. Even the tiniest deer tick nymphs are a danger and they are sometimes much smaller than the head of a pin. There are herbal and chemical tick repellants on the market, but i cannot vouch for their effectiveness.
From the ground up: no open-toed shoes or sandals. Socks which are of a tightly knitted texture. ( I have observed ticks trying to push their way between stitches in my socks before) Tightly fitting ankle, wrist and neck closures are highly recommended. Tuck your pant cuffs into your socks. A tucked-in shirt and a hat are also essential. Wearing light colored clothing without much texture or pattern will heap you to spot ticks more easily when they get on your clothing. We even have members who have resorted to wearing those white Tyvek singlesuits used in clean environments as a deterrent to ticks. It does make one look a little bit odd walking through the woods, though. If you are the type of person who just can't stand the idea of taking all of these precautions while you are outside trying to enjoy yourself, you may want to think twice.
perform a careful tick-check before re-entering your car or returning indoors. Have a friend check the areas you can't see: your back, behind your ears, back of the neck, hairline...These sometimes miniscule ticks can hide in small folds of clothing. To be sure not to spread ticks at home, place your foray clothing in a plastic bag until ready you are ready to launder it.
Other Sources for Info on Tick-borne Illness