{"id":6426,"date":"2024-04-17T15:51:13","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T15:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skilledadventures.com\/?p=2618"},"modified":"2024-04-17T15:51:33","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T15:51:33","slug":"how-to-avoid-ticks-when-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skilledoutdoors.com\/how-to-avoid-ticks-when-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Avoid Ticks When Camping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you spend time outdoors, whether it be on a camping trip, day hike, or just a picnic in the park, there are a few pesky critters and insects that you are bound to encounter. At the top of the list are ticks, mosquitoes, and raccoons. Keep reading to find out how to avoid and deal with ticks when camping or even just in your backyard.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most effective way to avoid ticks is to reduce skin exposure by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants as well as tucking your pants into your socks. Additionally, permethrin is an effective pesticide against ticks and can be used to treat clothing and camping equipment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going on a family camping trip can be lots of fun! That is until these pesky little blood suckers ruin the day. Don\u2019t let ticks suck all the fun (and blood) out of your time spent in the woods! Keep reading to learn more about ticks and find out how to avoid them when camping and spending time outdoors once and for all.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to Prevent Ticks in The First Place<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first and most effective line of defense in guarding against ticks, is to limit your exposure to them in the first place. Now I\u2019m not saying that you need to cancel your summer camping trip,<\/a> or become a hermit and stay inside all summer long. However, there are a few things that you can do that will help in preventing you or your pet becoming their main course.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may sound dead simple… but… go when the ticks aren’t out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went on a 3 day hiking trip in Arkansas several years back, and we went in May. My friends that did this same trail were absolutely swarmed with ticks when they went in the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out what times the ticks are the worst and avoid those times of the year. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are going to be out in the wild with ticks, here are the essential tips to stay tick free:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Avoid setting up your campsite in an area with dense foliage or grass.<\/strong><\/li>
  2. If you decide to go on a hike, keep to the paths<\/strong> and out of the brush.<\/li>
  3. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants with your pants tucked into your socks<\/strong>. You certainly won’t get any fashion award for this but ticks will have a much harder time getting to your skin.<\/li>
  4. Don\u2019t let your dogs run free <\/strong>through the woods, high grass, etc.<\/li>
  5. Wear a good tick repellent<\/strong>. DEET has shown to be effective against ticks<\/li>
  6. Treat your clothing and sleeping bag with permethrin<\/strong> (make sure you do this several days before you use it)<\/li>
  7. Check yourself and your family regularly for ticks.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If you just do these seven things, you can greatly decrease your chances of getting bitten and having a disease transferred to you by a tick bite.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How To Avoid Ticks In The Woods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Grass grass grass–avoid grass<\/strong>. If you’re in tick season and if you can’t help but go through any grass, then you should wear long pants tucked into your socks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Walk in the center of trails where the dirt is most compacted and avoid any loose organic matter such as piles of leaves or brush. CDC has some more ideas, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Best Tick Repellant For Your Skin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Tick repellents work at repelling ticks for a short period of time, but only if they contain DEET.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DEET is by far the most commonly used ingredient found in insect repellents. The USDA, as well as the US Military conducted extensive research and determined that DEET was the most effective repellent against most biting insects, including ticks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Best Tick Repellant For Your Clothes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    With that being said, I actually prefer to spray my clothing, including socks and shoes with<\/strong> Permethrin<\/strong>. Permethrin is both an insecticide and insect repellent that comes from the Chrysanthemum Flower. It\u2019s most commonly found in Nix lice shampoo and in lotions that treat scabies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While it\u2019s highly toxic to ticks, it is safe for humans with proper usage! Studies have shown that it\u2019s actually more safe than mosquito sprays that contain DEET.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If applied properly, Permethrin provides a quick tick knock-down effect \u2013 both repels and kills.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Not only do I spray this stuff on all of our clothing, but I also spray it on our bedding and even our tent.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Permethrin spray that I use and also recommend is made by Sawyer Products. You can find it on Amazon through this link.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The special thing about permethrin is that it can last for weeks and even between washes<\/strong>. It will of course diminish in effectiveness overtime, but this is a great way to keep the ticks at bay for long periods of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Effective is Tick Repellent Clothing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Tick repellent clothing is extremely effective! That\u2019s because the clothing companies use Permethrin to treat their clothing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supposedly, the Permethrin is woven into the fabrics, so that it will not wash out after you put the clothing in the wash. A few manufacturers websites claimed that their clothing is effective for up to 60 washes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I honestly don\u2019t know how true these statements are, since I\u2019ve never bought any tick repellent clothing. I just can\u2019t justify spending hundreds of dollars on tick repellent clothing, when I can buy a $15 bottle of spray and treat my own clothes. Not only that, but at least I know that the chemical is at its strongest. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Keep Ticks Away Naturally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If the thought of spraying chemicals all over yourself and your family make you a little uncomfortable, you do have a few choices. You can use an all-natural alternative, namely essential oils.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I personally have never tried the all-natural alternatives, so I had to do a bit of research to find out what the best natural tick repellent is.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While there were literally hundreds of different formulas and concoctions of essential oil repellents that others swear by, it seems that the best is also the simplest. It\u2019s a mixture of Lemongrass oil and  Eucalyptus Globulus oil.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To make this simple spray, all you have to do is mix 20 drops of the Lemongrass oil and 20 drops of the Eucalyptus Globulus oil with about a half cup of distilled water. Shake vigorously and voila! You now have your very own all-natural tick repellent.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Perform Tick Checks and Remove Them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Whenever you\u2019ve spent time in the great outdoors, or even in your backyard (if you live in the country), it\u2019s a good idea to perform a thorough tick check on yourself, your kids and even your dog. When I say thorough, I mean checking all the nooks and crannies, including your scalp and even your private areas.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some ideas to give you a better idea of how thorough you need to be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n