Ticks are tiny arachnids found throughout wooded and grassy environments, and they pose a significant health concern for campers due to their ability to transmit pathogens. These pests do not fly or jump; instead, they employ a behavior called “questing,” where they climb tall grass and low shrubs to wait for a passing host to brush against them. Understanding this behavior and taking proactive measures is the most effective defense against tick attachment. This article details actionable steps for avoiding ticks during a camping trip.
Preparing Your Clothing and Gear
Chemical barriers offer an effective layer of defense. Permethrin, a synthetic insecticide, is specifically designed to treat clothing and gear, acting as a repellent and a contact-killer for ticks. It must be applied to outer layers, like pants, socks, and tents, and allowed to dry completely, where it binds to the fabric and remains effective through several washings or up to six weeks. Permethrin should never be applied directly to the skin, as it is deactivated quickly by skin enzymes and offers no repellent benefit there.
For exposed skin, an EPA-registered repellent containing DEET or Picaridin is the recommended choice. DEET works by masking the host’s chemical signals, making it difficult for the tick to locate the skin. Picaridin is often preferred because it is odorless, non-greasy, and does not damage plastics or synthetic materials, offering comparable protection against ticks. Combining Permethrin-treated clothing with a Picaridin or DEET application on exposed skin, such as the neck and wrists, provides comprehensive, two-pronged protection.
Clothing strategy provides a physical barrier that slows a tick’s ascent toward the skin. Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks crawling on the fabric before they can find an entry point. Long pants should be tucked securely into socks, and shirts should be tucked into pants, creating a sealed boundary at the ankles and waist. This practice forces any questing tick to crawl along the exterior of the clothing, increasing the chance of it being noticed or encountering the Permethrin treatment.
Strategic Campsite Selection and On-Trail Behavior
Ticks thrive in moist, shaded environments characterized by tall grasses, dense brush, and leaf litter. Selecting a dry, open campsite that receives ample sunlight, away from these overgrown areas, is key. Campers should avoid pitching tents directly alongside the edge of a wooded area or in tall grass, as these locations are primary tick habitats.
Creating a buffer zone around the tent site by clearing away leaf litter, dead wood, and high vegetation is effective. Ticks are found closer to the ground, typically hanging out at knee or waist height to latch onto a host. By removing this low-level debris, you eliminate the immediate questing habitat around the sleeping area.
When hiking, staying in the center of marked trails avoids contact with overhanging vegetation. Campers should avoid sitting directly on logs, rocks, or the ground, especially in shaded, damp areas, as these surfaces may harbor ticks waiting for a host. Pets are common tick transporters and should be kept on cleared paths and checked frequently before being allowed inside the tent or vehicle.
Immediate Post-Exposure Inspection
A thorough inspection of the body and clothing immediately after returning from a hike or spending time in a high-risk area is the final defense. This check is important because tick-borne diseases may be transmitted rapidly, making prompt removal essential.
A full body check is recommended, paying close attention to areas where ticks prefer to hide. These warm, protected spots include the hairline, ears, armpits, inside the belly button, behind the knees, and the groin area. Using a mirror or having a camping partner assist with the inspection is helpful for seeing hard-to-reach areas.
Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks. Following the shower, clothing worn outdoors should be immediately placed into a dryer on high heat. Studies show that placing dry clothing in a dryer on high heat for a minimum of six to ten minutes will effectively kill any hitchhiking ticks. If the clothing is damp or soiled, hot water washing (at least 130°F or 54°C) is necessary before drying, as cold and warm water washes often fail to kill ticks.