Ticks are small arachnids common in wooded areas and tall grasses that can transmit various pathogens through their bites. They often wait on vegetation for a passing host, a behavior known as questing. Since a tick must be attached for an extended period to transmit disease, prompt prevention is the most effective defense. A comprehensive strategy involves preparing gear, practicing awareness on the trail, and performing immediate checks upon returning home.
Treating Gear and Clothing
A highly effective method for tick prevention involves treating outer garments and gear with permethrin, a synthetic insecticide. Permethrin should only be applied to clothing, boots, and equipment, never directly to the skin, as it paralyzes and kills ticks on contact. This chemical binds to the fabric fibers, remaining effective through several washings or for up to six weeks, providing a reliable protective barrier.
The application requires spraying the clothing until it is damp and allowing it to air-dry completely in a well-ventilated space before wearing. This treatment turns your outer layer into an insecticidal shield, causing ticks that crawl onto the fabric to become disoriented and fall off. This approach is distinct from topical repellents, which are designed to deter insects rather than kill them.
For exposed skin, an EPA-registered repellent containing active ingredients like DEET or Picaridin should be used. Picaridin is often favored because it is odorless, non-greasy, and does not damage synthetic materials or plastics, unlike DEET. These topical repellents should be applied to exposed skin, such as the neck, wrists, and ankles, after applying sunscreen and following all product instructions.
Strategies for Trail Safety
Implementing simple behavioral and clothing strategies creates a physical barrier that complements chemical treatments. Choosing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot small, dark-colored ticks, which can be as tiny as a poppy seed in the nymph stage. Wearing long sleeves and long pants minimizes the amount of exposed skin available for a tick to latch onto.
Tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants is a simple yet extremely effective technique. Ticks naturally crawl upward after boarding a host, and tucking clothing in forces them to remain on the exterior of the fabric, preventing them from accessing the skin at openings. This creates a seal that delays a tick’s ability to bite, giving the hiker more time to spot and remove it.
Ticks typically wait in tall grass, brush, and leaf litter, often within the first 24 inches of the ground. Hikers should aim to stay in the center of trails and avoid brushing against dense vegetation or low-hanging branches. Additionally, keeping backpacks and other gear off the ground and away from vegetation reduces the chance of a tick hitching a ride on equipment.
Immediate Post-Hike Protocol
The most critical step in preventing tick-borne illness occurs immediately after leaving a tick-prone area. Unattached ticks can crawl on skin for hours seeking a suitable spot to feed, so showering within two hours of returning home is recommended, as the water pressure can wash away unattached ticks. This is a good time to begin a comprehensive body check.
A full-body tick check must be performed meticulously, as ticks prefer warm, hidden areas. Special attention should be paid to the following areas:
- The hairline, scalp, and behind the ears
- Under the arms
- Inside the belly button
- Around the waist
- Between the legs
- Behind the knees
Since nymph ticks are so small, this inspection requires careful looking and feeling for any new bumps.
All clothing worn on the trail must be immediately placed into a clothes dryer and tumbled on high heat for a minimum of 10 minutes to kill any lingering ticks. Dry heat is effective because it desiccates and kills ticks quickly. If the clothing is damp or requires washing first, use hot water, and then dry on high heat for up to 50 minutes to ensure all ticks are eliminated.
If a tick is found attached, it must be removed promptly and correctly to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, ideally at the head or mouthparts. Pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting or jerking, which could cause the mouthparts to break off. After removal, the bite area and hands should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Avoid folk remedies like petroleum jelly or burning, as these methods can cause the tick to release more fluid into the bite site.