(KLZA)-- If you are headed outside to work, play, fish, hunt mushrooms or any other activities the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to protect yoursef and your family from diseases spread by ticks.

Those diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Alpha-Gal Syndrome, also known as the red meat allergy.

The Nebraska Tick Surveillance Map is a vital resource for members of the public as well as healthcare providers in Nebraska.

DHHS provided the following tips to prevent bites and avoid tickborne diseases while enjoying time outdoors:

Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to find. Tuck long pants into socks and boots.

Apply an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent containing 20% DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus according to label directions.

Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear and remains protective through several washings.

Walk in the center of trails. Avoid wooded, brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.

Conduct full-body tick checks including underarms, ears, belly button, behind knees, between legs, waist, hair, and scalp every two to three hours.

Immature ticks can be as small as a poppy seed, so make sure to look carefully.

Pets should also be checked for ticks after being outdoors.

Shower within two hours after coming indoors. Put clothes worn outdoors in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to remove ticks.

If you become ill with fever and/or rash after being in an area where ticks may have been, contact your healthcare provider.