Ticks are a concern for hikers, found in deep wilderness, suburban parks, and backyards across the country. These small arachnids transmit various pathogens, and their bite is often undetected until they have been feeding for some time. Protecting yourself requires a multi-layered approach, including preparations before you leave home, specific habits on the trail, and meticulous inspection upon your return.
Preparing Gear and Clothing
Creating a chemical barrier on your clothing and exposed skin is an effective pre-hike defense. For skin, products containing DEET or Picaridin are recommended for repelling ticks. A concentration of 15-30% DEET offers reliable protection, while 20% Picaridin is equally effective and is often preferred because it is odorless and does not damage synthetic fabrics. Apply skin-safe repellents only to exposed skin and follow manufacturer instructions for reapplication frequency.
A separate layer of protection involves treating clothing and gear with an insecticide. Permethrin is applied to clothes, boots, socks, and backpacks, bonding to the fabric fibers. Unlike skin repellents, Permethrin kills ticks that contact the treated material, rather than just repelling them. This treatment remains effective through multiple washings, providing long-lasting protection. Permethrin should never be applied directly to the skin.
Wearing light-colored clothing helps you spot ticks before they attach. Ticks are dark-colored, making them easier to see against a pale background as they crawl. Further reduce access points by tucking your pant legs into your socks or boots. This physical barrier closes the gap where ticks commonly latch onto the lower body from low-lying vegetation, preventing them from crawling onto your skin.
Safe Trail Habits
Modifying your behavior while hiking reduces the chances of encountering ticks. Ticks do not jump or fly; they engage in “questing,” climbing onto grasses and shrubs to grab onto a passing host. Staying in the center of marked trails and avoiding contact with tall grass, brush, and leaf litter is a primary defense.
When taking a break, avoid sitting directly on the ground, logs, or near dense vegetation at the trail’s edge. Ticks are frequently found in these areas, providing an easy access point to your clothing. Instead, choose a clear, open area that receives direct sunlight, as ticks prefer moist, shaded environments.
If hiking with a dog, remember that pets easily pick up ticks and carry them closer to you. Keep pets on a leash and prevent them from running through dense brush or tall grasses off the trail. Checking your pet frequently, especially around the neck and ears, helps prevent them from transporting ticks into your campsite or home.
Post-Hike Inspection and Care
Upon returning home, throw all worn outdoor clothing directly into a dryer. Ticks are resilient to washing but vulnerable to dry heat. Tumble drying clothes on high heat for a minimum of 10 minutes effectively kills any ticks on dry garments. If clothing is damp or requires washing, use a hot water wash (at least 130°F) followed by 50 minutes of high-heat drying for elimination.
Showering as soon as possible, ideally within two hours of leaving the trail, helps wash away unattached ticks crawling on your body. This practice also provides the opportunity for a thorough body check. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to systematically inspect all parts of your body.
Ticks favor warm, dark, and protected areas, requiring extra diligence during inspection. Since a tick can be as small as a poppy seed, pay careful attention to any new dark spots or small bumps on the skin. Common hiding spots include:
- The hairline and scalp.
- In and around the ears.
- Under the arms.
- Inside the belly button.
- Around the waist.
- Between the legs and groin area.
- Behind the knees.
Safe Tick Removal
If a tick is found attached, prompt and proper removal minimizes the risk of pathogen transmission, which typically requires 36 to 48 hours of attachment. The correct technique involves using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Avoid blunt tweezers, which can squeeze the tick’s body.
Once grasped near the mouthparts, pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking. Twisting or crushing the body can cause the tick to regurgitate gut contents into the bite wound, increasing infection risk. If the mouthparts break off and remain in the skin, they can usually be left alone, as the body will eventually expel them like a splinter.
After removal, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Never attempt removal using folk remedies such as burning it with a match, painting it with nail polish, or smothering it with petroleum jelly. These methods stress the tick and cause it to release potentially infectious fluids.
Disposal Methods
The removed tick should be disposed of by:
- Sealing it in a plastic bag with rubbing alcohol.
- Tightly wrapping it in tape.
- Flushing it down a toilet.