How To Prevent Tick Bites

Ticks weren’t exactly a big worry for most of the United States a few decades ago. It’s safe to say things have changed.

Tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease have experienced an epidemic-level rise in the past few decades. The increase coincides with a surge in tick populations and their expansion into new regions.

So, what can you do to protect yourself from these blood-sucking arachnids and the diseases they carry? We asked wilderness medicine specialist Christopher Bazzoli, MD, for tips to stay safe.

Tick prevention tips

The best way to avoid Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections? Don’t get bitten by those little buggers! (Simple enough, right?)

A little knowledge can help in that regard, says Dr. Bazzoli. First, it’s important to know when and where ticks are active. Tick season generally runs during warmer months, between spring and fall, but they can be on the hunt anytime temperatures are above freezing.

Certain areas tend to be tick and Lyme disease hot spots. In the United States, that includes states in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.

But other U.S. regions have different ticks (and diseases) that deserve attention. For example:

• The Rocky Mountain tick (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, RMSF) is typically found in Western states.
• The American dog tick (tick-paralysis and RMSF) is usually seen east of the Mississippi River.
• The lone star tick (alpha-gal syndrome) is more common in Eastern states.

It’s the same story around the world, too. But no matter where you are, these tips can help prevent tick bites.

1. Avoid tick-friendly areas

Ticks are more likely to call certain areas home. “Ticks generally love wooded areas and anywhere with long grasses,” emphasizes Dr. Bazzoli. “That’s where you’ll often find them waiting to hop a ride.”

But while ticks are more common in those settings, don’t assume the rugged wilderness is the only place ticks pop up. It’s always possible to pick up a tick outside, regardless of geography or landscape.

If you’re rolling around in your yard during tick season, you’re at risk — no matter how urban your neighborhood is. That’s especially true in regions with high tick populations.

“A well-cut lawn is less likely to house ticks, but it’s still possible,” he adds. “It’s important to keep on guard wherever you’re outside during warmer months when ticks are more active.”

2. Wear the right clothes

Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts may not be your first choice for a warm-weather hike. But it’s the best way to keep hungry ticks from finding exposed skin and digging in for a meal.

“You’re basically denying ticks points of entry to your skin,” explains Dr. Bazzoli. “It’s a simple measure, but it goes a long way.”

Tucking your pant legs into your socks or boots can minimize access, too. (Health before fashion, right?) “By tucking in those pant legs, you cut down on the chances of a tick crawling up your legs,” he notes.

And finally, wearing lighter-colored clothes — think safari beige — can make it easier to spot any ticks that might be on you.

3. Use bug sprays

When it comes to bug sprays to prevent ticks, Dr. Bazzoli has two recommendations:

• DEET or picaridin-based repellants are safe to apply to your skin. While they’re most commonly used for mosquitoes, several popular brands also make tick sprays. And yes: They’re safe for children and pregnant women.
• Permethrin is a plant-based chemical you can spray on your clothing. But it can cause irritation and itching if it comes in contact with skin, so be careful when applying it. If you’d rather not take the risk, purchase clothes with permethrin already applied.

“These repellants are very effective,” says Dr. Bazzoli. “Between DEET or picaridin sprays and the permethrin protective clothing, you can really minimize your risk of ticks and tick-borne diseases.”

Not sure if your repellent of choice will protect against ticks? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a handy database to check.

4. Do tick checks

Even if you take every possible precaution when roaming the great outdoors, a tick may still find its way onto your body. That’s why it’s important to check for ticks to find and remove any that hop on.

“Try to do tick checks twice a day if you’re out in potential tick environments,” advises Dr. Bazzoli. “If you can pluck a tick off of you early, you really reduce the chances of it transmitting a pathogen.”

That’s because it typically takes 48 to 72 hours for a latched-on tick to spread an infection such as Lyme disease. (“It’s a big window of time,” says Dr. Bazzoli.)

Ticks often seek out “nooks and crannies” on your body where it’s easier to hide and thinner skin offers less resistance. They also tend to gravitate toward warm vascular areas with greater blood flow. That includes your:

• Scalp (where they can hide in your hair)
• Armpits
• Groin
• Waist
• Area behind the knees

Enlist the help of a tick-check buddy to ensure you get eyes on hard-to-see areas.

Ideally, you’ll find ticks while they’re still crawling around before they latch on. What if the tick is latched? Take a deep breath, relax and carefully remove it.

5. Check your pets

Dogs and cats do a lot of exploring outside — and those adventures can lead them to ticks.

“Our four-legged friends can bring ticks into the home, where they might eventually find their way to you,” says Dr. Bazzoli. “Check your pets thoroughly if they’ve been outside when ticks are active.”

Be sure to keep up with your pet’s flea and tick prevention medication, too, to keep them from getting Lyme disease. (While they won’t spread the illness to you, they can get pretty sick — and it’s a sad sight.)

Final thoughts

Are ticks and the threat of tick-borne illnesses in the great outdoors? Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean you should stay locked up inside to avoid potential contact.

“It’s physiologically important for us to spend time in nature, so we don’t want to discourage that,” says Dr. Bazzoli. “What we want to do is encourage exploring the outdoors in a safe and mindful manner.”

So, get out there — but keep an eye out for ticks while you’re adventuring.