How to Avoid Ticks While You’re Hiking or Camping
How to Avoid Tick Bites When You’re Hiking
Ticks might be small, but they sure can ruin your day (and possibly even longer!). Those little bloodsuckers are notorious for latching onto us while we’re out exploring the wilderness, and the last thing you want is to become their next meal ticket. But fear not, because there are ways to avoid ticks while hiking!
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Out of all the wild animals you might encounter when you’re out on the trail, ticks are actually the ones I fear the most since they can spread tick-borne diseases. However, in this post, I’m going to spill the beans on how to avoid ticks when hiking like a pro.
Whether you’re a seasoned trailblazer or just starting your hiking journey, the information here will help keep you tick-free and focused on the breathtaking views and thrilling adventures that the great outdoors has to offer.
With these practical tips and knowledge, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your hikes without worrying about those tiny critters hitching a ride on you.
1. Wear Appropriate Clothing
The best way to avoid ticks while hiking starts with wearing proper clothing. First, always wear closed-toe boots and proper hiking socks instead of sandals.
The more skin you cover, the less opportunity ticks have to find a spot to bite. Even if you’re hiking in the heat of summer, don’t shy away from shirts with long sleeves and long pants.
Also, opt for light-colored clothing. Not only does this make it easier to spot these tiny critters when they’re trying to sneak their way in, but light colors also keep you cooler under the sun — it’s a win-win!
Keep your shirt tucked into your pants to prevent ticks from entering around your waistband.
When it comes to your pants, tuck them into your socks or boots. This may not win you any fashion awards, but it creates a formidable barrier for ticks, making it harder for them to climb up your legs unnoticed.
You can also consider wearing a pair of gaiters. Not only do they help keep ticks away, but they also shield your legs from water, thorns, burrs, and other trail obstacles.
2. Inspect Yourself Often
Ticks can be sneaky little buggers, and the best way to keep them from hitching a ride on your body is to do regular tick checks. You should inspect your skin for ticks at least once a day. However, if you know you’re hiking in a tick-infested area, you should do it several times a day.
If you’re stopping to take a breather or have a bite to eat, it’s a good idea to use that time to look for ticks.
The first step is to do thorough tick checks of your clothing. Inspect your long-sleeved shirt, pant legs, and socks, and remove any unattached ticks you might see. Next, check your skin.
Certain areas of your body are prime real estate for ticks, so you want to make sure to inspect these areas meticulously. These warm, cozy spots include:
- In and around your hair
- In and around your ears
- Under your arms
- Inside your belly button
- Between your legs
- Back of the knees
If you’re hiking with a buddy, you can do tick checks for each other. They can spot the ones you might have missed, and you can return the favor.
It’s also not a bad idea to carry a small, lightweight mirror in your backpack. This allows you to check those tricky spots on your back and other hard-to-see areas.
Remember, ticks can be as small as a poppy seed, so you’ve got to be thorough in your inspection. Feel for any tiny bumps, and visually scan for anything unusual on your skin.
3. Use a Tick Repellent
A great way to keep ticks off while you’re hiking is to apply a tick repellent. First things first, you need to pick the right tick repellent. Look for ones that specifically mention tick protection.
DEET-based repellents are known to be effective and can also keep away mosquitoes, biting flies, and gnats. However, there are also natural options like oil of lemon eucalyptus and picaridin, which is a synthetic compound made from an alkaloid in black pepper plants.
Don’t wait until you’re deep in the wilderness to apply your insect repellent. It’s all about preventative measures, so put it on before you hit the trail. Be sure to apply it to exposed skin thoroughly, including your arms, legs, neck, and any other areas you feel are vulnerable.
Related: The Best Bug Spray for Hikers That Repels Mosquitoes, Ticks, and More!
However, avoid applying repellent near your eyes and mouth. If you need to apply it around your face, spray the repellent onto your hands and then carefully rub it on.
Also, don’t forget to pack a travel-size bottle of repellent in your backpack. Most repellents have a limited duration of effectiveness.
Read the label to know how often you should reapply. In general, it’s a good idea to reapply every few hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.
You can also consider using permethrin. Permethrin is a bug spray you can apply to your outdoor gear, including clothing, boots, backpacks, and tents.
It’s highly effective at repelling ticks, and it keeps working through multiple washes. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully and allow it to dry thoroughly before you gear up.
4. Avoid Tall Grassy Areas
One common misconception about ticks is that they can jump or fly. Instead, ticks like to hang out on tall grasses and grab onto people or animals as they walk past.
Therefore, one of the most important things you can do to avoid ticks while hiking is to stay away from areas with tall, long grass and thick underbrush.
Hiking on overgrown or narrow trails increases your chances of brushing up against tick-infested foliage. The closer you get to vegetation in bushy areas, the more likely it is that ticks will make their move. Stick to well-maintained, wider paths and try to stay in the center of the trail whenever possible.
Ticks don’t just love tall grass; they also love the shade. While hiking in wooded areas is a hiker’s delight, these spots can harbor ticks. Stay on marked trails to minimize contact with the underbrush, and don’t forget to do thorough tick checks afterward.
5. Carry a Tick Removal Tool
When you’re packing your first aid kit, it’s a very good idea to include some type of tick removal tool in it. Consider carrying your tool in a small plastic bag that you can also use to hold a removed tick if needed.
There are a variety of tick removers on the market that work well. On the other hand, a pair of fine-tipped tweezers will also get the job done.
How to Protect Your Dog From Ticks
Ticks aren’t just a danger to humans. They can also be trouble for our canine buddies. If you love hitting the trails with your four-legged friend, here are some tips to help keep your dog safe, happy, and tick-free on your outdoor adventures.
Tick Prevention for Dogs
Before you even set foot (or paw) on the trail, make sure your dog is protected. Speak to your veterinarian about tick prevention options, like tick collars or topical treatments. These can be a real game-changer in keeping ticks at bay.
Check Your Dog Before and After the Hike
Just like you should inspect your skin, give your dog a thorough tick check before and after your hike. Ticks often attach themselves in areas with less fur, such as the ears, around the groin area, the belly, and between the toes.
Stay on the Trail
While your dog might be tempted to explore off-trail, sticking to marked paths can help reduce tick exposure. Ticks often lurk in tall grass and underbrush, so minimizing your dog’s contact with these areas is a smart move.
Post-Hike Doggy Bath
After your hike, give your dog a good bath. This will not only wash away any potential ticks but also clean off any tick-repelling products that might irritate your dog’s skin if left on for too long.
Regular Grooming
Regular grooming sessions are not only a great bonding experience but also an opportunity to spot and remove ticks. Run your fingers through your dog’s coat and check for any unusual lumps or bumps.
Be Alert for Symptoms
Keep an eye out for any unusual behavior or symptoms in your dog, like excessive scratching, lethargy, or fever. If you suspect your dog may have been bitten by a tick, consult your vet immediately.
Remember, just as with humans, it’s crucial to be proactive in protecting your furry friend from ticks. A few simple steps can make all the difference in ensuring that your dog’s hiking adventures are as enjoyable and tick-free as possible.
How to Remove a Tick
If you find a tick in your skin after a hike, don’t panic. Instead, follow these steps from the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
- Use a pair of tweezers or other tick removal tool to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk as you’re pulling because this could cause the mouth parts to break off and stay in the skin.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or a rubbing alcohol wipe.
- If there are still pieces of the tick remaining in your skin, use the tweezers to remove as much as possible. If you can’t get everything out, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
Once you’ve pulled the tick out, don’t crush it with your fingers. If possible, place it in a sealed bag or container in case you have to identify it later. You can also dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, wrapping it up tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.
Also, you should never “paint” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, use heat to make the tick detach, or wait for the tick to remove itself. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible.
If you develop a rash or fever within a few weeks of removing the tick, be sure to seek medical attention right away. Tell the doctor about the recent tick bite, when the bite happened, and where you most likely picked up the tick.
What to Do When You Get Home From Hiking
At the end of your hike, you first want to do a thorough check of yourself, your gear, and your dogs for any ticks. Ticks have been known to hide on clothing or gear and attach to humans after they’ve already made it home.
As soon as you get home, you can throw your clothes in the dryer on a high heat setting. While ticks can survive a trip through the washer, the heat of a dryer will kill them.
It’s also a good idea to take a shower once you get home. Not only is this a good way to remove any remaining residue from your tick repellent, but it’s also the perfect time to do one last check for ticks.
The Most Common Tick Species
Different species of ticks live in different regions of the country. Additionally, of these ticks, only some can bite and transmit disease to people. Here are a few of the most common ticks found in the United States:
- American dog tick – Widely found east of the Rocky Mountains and some areas along the Pacific Coast. Adult females are most likely to bite humans, and the highest risk of being bitten occurs during spring and summer. They can spread tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Blacklegged tick – Also known as the deer tick. Widely found across the eastern United States. Adult females and nymphs are biters. The greatest risk of being bitten is in the spring, summer, and fall. However, adults may be active and biting in the winter when temperatures are above freezing. They can spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, hard tick relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus.
- Brown dog tick – Found worldwide. While dogs are the primary host, these ticks will also bite humans and other mammals. This tick transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Gulf Coast tick – Found along coastal areas of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Adult ticks can bite humans and have been associated with a form of spotted fever.
- Lone star tick – This very aggressive tick is widely distributed in the eastern, southeastern, and south-central United States. Nymphs and adult females are the most frequent biters. They can transmit Bourbon virus, ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus, tularemia, STARI, and alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy).
- Rocky Mountain wood tick – Found in Rocky Mountain states and southwestern Canada at elevations of 4,000 to 10,500 feet. Adult ticks will bite humans and can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, and tularemia.
- Western blacklegged tick – Found along the Pacific Coast. Although all life stages can bite humans, nymphs and adult females are the most common biters. They can transmit anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, and hard tick relapsing fever.
A Hiker’s Guide to Avoiding Ticks
Armed with the knowledge and tips you’ve gathered from this post, you’re well-prepared to tackle the trails without the worry of becoming a tick’s next victim.
Remember, it’s all about being proactive. From donning the right tick-repellent clothing to inspecting your skin and even keeping your four-legged hiking buddy safe, you’ve got the tools you need to avoid ticks while hiking.
While staying vigilant about tick prevention is essential, don’t let it overshadow the sheer joy and wonder of the great outdoors. Hiking is about connecting with nature, finding serenity in the wilderness, and making memories that last a lifetime.
So, take these tips to heart, but don’t let them deter you from venturing into the wild. Embrace the beauty of the trails, revel in the fresh air, and savor every breathtaking view.
More Helpful Hiking Tips
Did you enjoy this guide on how to avoid ticks while hiking? Are you looking for other great tips that can help you get outside and enjoy those trails even more? Then please be sure to take a look at some of our other popular posts:
- The Ultimate Guide on How to Treat Blisters When You’re Hiking
- How to Stay Dry and Comfortable When You’re Hiking in the Rain
- The Complete Guide on the Best Darn Tough Socks for Hiking
- How Much Water Should You Bring on a Hike?
