{"id":25869,"date":"2025-10-01T10:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T14:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/?page_id=25869"},"modified":"2025-10-10T09:41:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T13:41:54","slug":"stay-in-the-middle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/stay-in-the-middle\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you walk in the woods?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">How do you walk in the woods?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Which picture best describes how you walk on a trail?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-1.jpg\" alt=\"Three people, walking in the woods single file in the center of the trail\" class=\"wp-image-24020\" style=\"width:619px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-1-364x364.jpg 364w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-2.jpg\" alt=\"Three people, walking in the woods, side by side\" class=\"wp-image-24021\" style=\"width:620px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Woods-2-364x364.jpg 364w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"346\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/child-on-tree-stump-e1641321531515.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23696\" style=\"width:618px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/child-on-tree-stump-e1641321531515.jpg 346w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/child-on-tree-stump-e1641321531515-300x260.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.02.41-AM-Medium.jpeg\" alt=\"How you walk on a trail affects how many ticks you encounter (or how many you may encounter)\" class=\"wp-image-25884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.02.41-AM-Medium.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.02.41-AM-Medium-300x282.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.02.41-AM-Medium-364x342.jpeg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.02.41-AM-Medium-500x470.jpeg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.04.11-AM-Medium.jpeg\" alt=\"Walking in the middle of the trails is the best way to keep ticks off. Stay away from the edges!\" class=\"wp-image-25886\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.04.11-AM-Medium.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.04.11-AM-Medium-300x282.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.04.11-AM-Medium-364x342.jpeg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.04.11-AM-Medium-500x470.jpeg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.03.30-AM-Medium.jpeg\" alt=\"Did you know? Ticks are more commonly encountered along esges of trails and while just off trail bushwhacking\" class=\"wp-image-25885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.03.30-AM-Medium.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.03.30-AM-Medium-300x270.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.03.30-AM-Medium-364x328.jpeg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-11.03.30-AM-Medium-500x451.jpeg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-9.39.32-AM-Medium.jpeg\" alt=\"Be Ready for Ticks....Because they're ready for you!\" class=\"wp-image-25883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-9.39.32-AM-Medium.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-9.39.32-AM-Medium-300x246.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-9.39.32-AM-Medium-364x299.jpeg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/Screen-Shot-2025-10-01-at-9.39.32-AM-Medium-500x410.jpeg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"display-posts-listing\"><li class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/ticksmart-tips\/tip-9-stay-in-the-middle-of-trails\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/WalkingSquare-e1619621296977-1-e1620393812360-300x172.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"people walking on a trail\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/WalkingSquare-e1619621296977-1-e1620393812360-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/WalkingSquare-e1619621296977-1-e1620393812360-364x208.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1713\/WalkingSquare-e1619621296977-1-e1620393812360.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/ticksmart-tips\/tip-9-stay-in-the-middle-of-trails\/\">Tip #9: Stay in the middle of trails<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><br>Humans learn how to walk on their own when they\u2019re about 14 months old but it takes a public health entomologist to offer guidance on how best to walk on a trail to avoid ticks. One way to think about trails is as a pathway&#8211;from the safety of the parking lot or open space&#8211;heading deeper into tick habitat. Nymph- and larval-stage ticks will more commonly be encountered in the leaf litter that accumulates on the sides of trails than in the middle of the trail; adult-stage ticks are commonly shin-to-knee high on tall grasses and other low vegetation at the trail edge just waiting for a host to pass by. We\u2019re not saying there are no ticks in the middle of trails, just typically far fewer. By hiking in the middle of the path, you\u2019re less likely to get lost, damage plants, cause erosion, run into poison ivy, or <strong>pick up ticks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"cl-wrapper cl-share-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-share color  \"><div class=\"cl-share-label\">Share:<\/div><ul class=\"cl-share-buttons\"><li><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Tip #9: Stay in the middle of trails&amp;url=https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/ticksmart-tips\/tip-9-stay-in-the-middle-of-trails\/\" title=\"Share on Twitter\" class=\"cl-share-twitter share-twitter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Twitter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/ticksmart-tips\/tip-9-stay-in-the-middle-of-trails\/\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" class=\"cl-share-facebook share-facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How do you walk in the woods? Which picture best describes how you walk on a trail?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4045,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-25869","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4045"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25869"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25918,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25869\/revisions\/25918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/tickencounter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}