Tick Borne Inc.
Support, Awareness, and Hope for Tick-Borne Diseases
This might be the most important section of all. How to prevent tick bites and what to do if you get bitten. We want you to enjoy the outdoors without fear. The good news is that with some simple precautions, you can dramatically reduce your risk of tick-borne diseases.
Here we’ll cover:
We’ll keep it practical and straightforward. You can also download our Tick Safety Checklist (PDF) as a handy guide (great to stick on your fridge or take camping!).
One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent tick bites is to use a good insect repellent. Not all repellents are equal when it comes to ticks, so here’s what to look for:
Choose the Right Ingredients: The CDC (cdc.gov) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommend repellents that contain one of the following active ingredients for tick protection:
Probably the best-known repellent. For ticks, use a product that has 20-30% DEET (you don’t need 100% – higher than 30% doesn’t increase efficacy much, just lasts longer). A 20-30% DEET spray on exposed skin can provide several hours of protectionaustintexas.gov. DEET is safe for children over 2 months old (EPA and American Academy of Pediatrics say up to 30% DEET is fine for kids)austintexas.gov. Just avoid putting it on kids’ hands or near eyes/mouth. It’s a robust choice – good for woods, fields, anywhere.
This is a great alternative to DEET. Use ~20% Picaridin for ticks (commonly available in 20% lotion or pump spray). It’s odorless, non-greasy, and works about as well as DEET for ticks and mosquitoes. Safe for children over 2 months as well.
Found in some repellents (often in Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard). It can work against ticks, but typically in higher concentrations (~20%). It’s more common in Europe but available here too.
This is a plant-based repellent (not straight lemon eucalyptus oil, but a refined version of its active component PMD). It can repel ticks pretty well.
Note: Do NOT use OLE on kids under 3 years (cdc.gov; it hasn’t been tested enough for little ones). If you want a natural-based option, this is the one to choose (just remember natural doesn’t automatically mean safer for kids).
2-Undecanone, also known as methyl nonyl ketone, is a naturally occurring ketone with a characteristic odor. It's a colorless oily liquid that can be produced synthetically or extracted from plants like rue. 2-Undecanone is primarily used as a repellent for insects and animals, but also finds applications in perfumery and flavoring.
Permethrin is not for your skin, but for treating clothing and gear. This is a game-changer for tick bite prevention. You can buy 0.5% permethrin sprays made for clothing and apply it to your shoes, socks, pants, shirt (and let it dry) – it will kill ticks on contact and last through several washes (cdc.gov). You can also buy pre-treated clothing from some outdoor brands (Insect Shield is one). We highly recommend permethrin-treated shoes and socks especially – ticks often latch on at the feet/legs, and this will stop them. If you spend a lot of time in tick country, this is a must-do.
Products with these ingredients have been proven to repel ticks (and mosquitoes). Don’t bother with perfumes or “natural” concoctions that aren’t EPA-registered – they often don’t work well enough. Instead, use science-backed options.
Apply to exposed skin (and clothing, if not using permethrin). If using spray, hold a few inches away and spray evenly on arms, legs, etc. For the face, spray your hands and then rub on your face (avoiding eyes and mouth). Do not spray on cuts or irritated skin. A common mistake is not applying enough – follow instructions on the label for coverage. If also using sunscreen, put sunscreen on first, then repellent on after (cdc.gov; and avoid combo sunscreen/repellent products – they often don’t work well because you need to reapply sunscreen more often than repellent).
DEET 20% or Picaridin 20% typically protect for several hours (4-6 hours). If you’re out all day, you may need to reapply in the afternoon. Always check the specific product’s duration.
These EPA-registered repellents are safe when used as directedcdc.gov. For kids, an adult should apply it to them. Avoid hands (kids might put in mouth). When back indoors, it’s good practice to wash skin that had repellent on it with soap and water.
Don’t forget to spray your shoes and lower pants – ticks often climb on there. Even if you don’t want to treat all clothing with permethrin, at least spray your shoe tops/laces with repellent.
Using repellents has been shown to significantly cut down tick bites. Make it a habit: if you’re going hiking, camping, or even gardening in an area with ticks, spray before you play! It’s like wearing armor that ticks hate.
Ticks are sneaky, but you can dress in ways that make it harder for them to reach your skin. You don’t have to look ridiculous – a few tweaks to your outfit can help:
The more coverage, the better. In tick-heavy areas, shorts and sandals are an invitation to get bit. Opt for long pants and tuck them into your socks if you can (yes, the fashionable “tuck your pants into your socks” look) – it creates a barrier so ticks crawling up your shoes go inside your sock where they can’t reach skin easily, and often they’ll stay on the outside of your clothes where you can spot them. For shirts, a long sleeve is good, and tucking your shirt into your pants can prevent ticks from crawling under your clothes at the waist.
This makes it easier to spot ticks. Ticks are often dark (brown or black), so on white or khaki pants, you’ll see the tiny specks moving. If you’re wearing black leggings, you might not notice a tick. So light colors = better visibility.
If you’re in brush or under trees, wear a hat and possibly tie back long hair. Ticks can drop or be brushed from branches. They love to latch onto your head or neck. A hat can stop them, and ticks in your hair are harder to find. Some people even spray their hat with permethrin for extra measure.
Closed-toe shoes or boots are best. No flip-flops or bare feet in tick habitat. Boots with pants tucked in are kind of the gold standard. If you’re in an area known for lots of ticks, gaiters (fabric covers that go from shoes to knee) can be used, and you can spray those with permethrin too.
As mentioned above, treat your clothing (especially shoes, socks, pant legs) with permethrin (cdc.gov). You can do this yourself with spray, or purchase pre-treated clothes. Permethrin-treated socks and pants have been shown to greatly reduce tick bites. Ticks pretty much die after crawling a short time on treated fabric. If you DIY, follow product directions (spray outdoors in a ventilated area, let clothes fully dry before wearing).
Ticks love to bite warm, soft areas like behind knees, armpits, groin, waistline. So make sure those areas are covered or harder for ticks to get to. A tucked shirt stops ticks from crawling up to your belly or chest. A belt or snug waistband can sometimes stop them too (though they might find a way around, so still do tick checks).
Smooth, tight-weave materials might be harder for ticks to cling to than fuzzy fleece or loose knits. Consider hiking pants over yoga pants; nylon over spandex which they can sometimes bite through. But any coverage is better than none.
When you come back inside, tumble dry your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes (cdc.gov) before tossing them in the laundry or hamper. Ticks are pretty hardy against water, but they can’t survive dry heat. 10 minutes in a hot dryer kills any ticks on clothing (cdc.gov). If clothes are damp, dry longer. If you need to wash first, use hot water; cold or warm water might not kill ticks (cdc.gov).
Don’t worry, you don’t have to dress like an astronaut. Even just long pants and socks with repellent can make a huge difference. I’ve had friends go on hikes where I’m fully covered and they’re in shorts; guess who ends up picking ticks off their legs later? Not me! It really works. So embrace the “hiker chic” look: long socks pulled up, pants tucked in, hat on head. You might even start a trend. 😉
Even with repellent and proper clothing, ticks can sometimes find a way. That’s why doing a tick check after coming indoors is crucial. It’s a simple habit that can save you from days or weeks of illness. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Every time you’ve been in a tick-prone area (woods, tall grass, leaf litter, even your own yard if you live in a high-risk area), do a tick check as soon as possible after coming inside – ideally within 2 hourscdc.gov, and then again later (some suggest checking daily during tick season even if you don’t recall exposure, because ticks can sneak in).
Taking a shower within 2 hours of coming indoors can help wash off ticks that haven’t attached yet(cdc.gov). It’s also a perfect time to do a thorough tick check of your body. Studies have shown showering within two hours is associated with reduced risk of Lyme disease, possibly because it helps dislodge unattached ticks (cdc.gov).
Ticks can be very small, especially nymphs (poppy seed-sized). So you’ll want to both look and feel. Use your fingers to feel for any small bumps or attached ticks, and use a mirror (or a partner/family member) to inspect areas you can’t see well.
Ticks love to hide in warm, dark areas. Key places to inspect carefully (cdc.gov):
Run your fingers through your hair, feel your scalp. Use a fine comb if your hair is thick. Have someone check the back of your neck and behind your ears (cdc.gov).
Ticks often crawl into the outer ear or behind ear lobes (cdc.gov).
Lift your arms and check armpits (cdc.gov).
es, they can even hide in your navel! Check it (cdc.gov).
Check your waistline, belt line, and along underwear lines (cdc.gov).
Ticks often go for the groin area. Carefully check around genitals and between legs (cdc.gov).
Bend your leg and check the back of knees and in creases (cdc.gov).
They often start at feet and crawl up. Check around ankles, between toes (especially on kids who might have been barefoot).
Check everywhere, even places covered by clothes. They can crawl under cuffs or loose clothes. When you get in, it’s helpful to remove clothing and systematically check your whole body.
Kids often play in grassy or wooded areas and may not notice ticks. Parents should thoroughly check their children. Pay special attention to hair, neck, armpits, behind knees, groin – same spots as above(cdc.gov). Make it a routine after a day outside. A quick tick check during bath time, for example.
Use a full-length mirror or hand mirror for hard-to-see spots (cdc.gov). Check your back, backs of legs. A handheld mirror can help you inspect those regions or ask someone you trust to do a quick scan.
Ticks can be flat and tiny like a speck of dirt or a freckle. If it’s moving, obviously it’s a tick. If it’s attached, you’ll see a little round body attached to your skin, maybe with tiny legs (for nymphs it’s hard to see legs). They can be black, brown, or even reddish. Deer tick nymphs look like a dark poppy seed stuck to your skin. If you find a tiny black dot that wasn’t there before, try to touch it – if it doesn’t flick off like dirt, it could be a tick.
If you find a tick crawling but not attached, just grab it with a tissue and flush it or tape it to a card (or flick it outside if you must, but I prefer to kill it). Lint rollers can also pick up unattached ticks from clothing or even skin.
Remember to also check clothing and gear before coming fully inside. Ticks often hitchhike on clothes then crawl off later. When you take off your clothes, do the dryer trick mentioned. Also inspect things like backpacks, jackets, etc. Pets can also bring ticks in (more on pets next).
It only takes a few minutes to do a good check. It might feel tedious, but it’s worth it. I personally have caught ticks crawling on me during a check before they bit, which prevented who knows what. And I’ve found an attached tick in a hidden spot that I would have missed had I not specifically looked.
Make it a family game – “tick check time!” You can even reward kids for finding “the hidden tick” (hopefully none to find, but incentivize them to check themselves too). It’s like a reverse scavenger hunt. 😜 In all seriousness, tick checks are your last line of defense. Since most ticks need a few hours or more to transmit infections (for Lyme, over 24 hours (cdc.gov); for others like ehrlichiosis maybe less, but still not instantaneous), finding and removing ticks promptly can prevent illness. So do those checks!
Our furry friends and our own yards can be sources of tick encounters. Here’s how to keep pets safe and reduce ticks around your home:
Make your yard less tick-friendly. You can significantly cut down on ticks near your home by managing landscaping:
The goal is to make a “tick-safe zone” where your family spends time. For example, keep the swing set on a wood chip area in the middle of the lawn, not right up against the woods. Put lawn furniture on a patio or deck rather than in the tall grass. Little things like that mean when you’re gardening or the kids are playing, there are simply fewer ticks around.