(WSIL) -- One of the best places to social distance during a pandemic is the great outdoors. However, there are some things to watch out for.
Hiking and camping are great ways to enjoy the outdoors, but it's important to protect yourself from ticks.
"In Illinois, there's over 15 different species of ticks, but there's really only three that you usually encounter, and there's one that is known to be a bad guy for Lyme Disease, and that's the deer tick or black-legged tick," explains Amy Keigher, Natural Resources Coordinator at Fort Massac State Park.
Keigher says it's important to be able to when bitten. With that said, there are ways you can prevent getting bitten.
"I know it's hard because it's so hot right now, but always try to wear long sleeves, long pants, some people like to tuck in their pants to their socks," says Keigher.
Clothing is your first line of defense against ticks, but Keigher says you'll also want to ward them off with repellent. "Bring bug spray, make sure it's got Deet in there. If you ever get bug spray though with the Deet on your skin, wash it off because that can be harmful to you."
Keigher says when hiking it's best to just stay in the middle of the trail. "If you happen to brush up against anything, weeds, a tree, anything, that's where ticks love to wait, and that's when they'll jump on you."
Carrie Eldridge, Director of Emergency Preparedness at Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department, says ticks carry illnesses like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
"If you notice a bullseye kind of rash, or a rash of any kind and also fever, chills, anything like that that's out of your normal, then you definitely want to get a hold of your healthcare provider," states Eldridge.
Experts say stay vigilant and check yourself for ticks when returning indoors. If you are bitten, remove them with tweezers.
For more safety tips while enjoying Mother Nature, click .
