Nature Etiquette Monthly: Say No to Ticks This Season
It’s Tick Season in New Jersey: Here’s How to Protect Yourself and Your Pets
Dress for Protection: I’ll Take Looking a Little Silly Over a Tick Bite Any Day!
What you wear can make a big difference in repelling ticks and finding them before they reach your skin. Wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing whenever possible. Light-colored fabrics make it easier to spot ticks before they attach. You can also tuck your shirt into your pants and tuck your pants into your socks to eliminate gaps where ticks can reach your skin. If you are heading into really overgrown areas you can even line your layers with duct tape with the adhesive facing away from your skin to trap ticks before they reach your skin.Use Insect Repellent: Choose the Right One for You
Applying insect repellent is one of the most effective ways to prevent tick bites. There are three main repellent methods to chose from, each with different pros and cons— but remember to use your product of choice safely, correctly, and consistently.
Repellent Applied to the skin:
Insect Repellent applied to the skin is one of the most effective options, but you have to ensure you apply these products carefully, in accordance with directions, and repeatedly. Common and effective options contain DEET or picaridin. Both DEET and picaridin have been extensively tested and are considered safe for the general population, including children, when applied according to label instructions. Picaridin is generally less irritating and odorless, while DEET has a longer history of use and is highly effective against ticks and mosquitoes. You can also explore Synthesized Plant Oils such as lemon eucalyptus oil and IR3535, which are also tested for safety and effectiveness and regulated by the EPA, but make sure you follow directions and ensure safety around pets.
What about natural oils?
Natural Plant Oils are not regulated for safety or effectiveness by the EPA and are generally considered to be less effective as they must be reapplied more frequently. While some people prefer them, they are generally considered less reliable. This decision inevitably comes down to personal preference and comfort, and many people opt to use a mixture of both for protection.
Wearable Tick Repellent
For long lasting protection, treating your clothes can be an effective and low-maintenance option during tick season. This approach helps ensure you’re protected from ticks from head to toe, without relying solely on sprays or lotions. This method is especially helpful for folks who hit the woods frequently during tick season and want a low effort prevention method. It also provides an extra layer of defense that works continuously, even when you forget to other repellent options.
One of the most reliable wearable repellent options is the use of Permethrin Spray (0.05% concentration for use on clothing). This should only ever be applied to clothing — never directly onto your skin— and must be allowed to fully dry (Approx for 2-4 hours) before wearing. This is highly effective against not only ticks, but also mosquitoes and mites and can remain effective for up to 6 weeks or 6 machine washes. It is durable against sweat or water, but it does break down under direct UV light. It is odorless when dry and safe for humans and dogs, but highly toxic to cats while in liquid form and harmful to aquatic life. Ensure that whatever you spray is fully dry prior to being around cats. Use in a well-ventilated area, avoid breathing in the spray, and do not apply near natural bodies of water.
Another convenient option is purchasing pre-treated insect-repellent clothing. These items are treaded during the manufacturing process and can retain their effectiveness for up to 70 washes. This is a great long term solution for folks who spent a lot of time outdoors, those of us who don’t have the energy to do it ourselves, or for anyone who wants to try the process without DIYing it the first time.
Airborne Insect Repellents
While not effective against ticks, airborne insect repellents can help in the battle against mosquitos. Allethrin devices, disperse allethrin in the air to create a protective zone for the duration of the device running. Citronella plants and candles are a more natural options but are generally less effective as the candle cannot reach the same uniform dispersant as other airborne options.
Back Inside? Here’s Your Next Step!
Acting fast when you get back inside is just as important as your other prevention methods. When you return to your home, do a thorough check of the entire body for ticks. Pay close attention to your hairline and behind your ears. Ask someone to help check your upper back, the and scalp for ticks. Shower soon after coming back indoors, this will help wash off unattached tucks before they bite and provide an additional opportunity to discover any that may have attached.
For your pets, check between their toes and paw pads as ticks like to hide in between their toes. Inspect their bellies, ears, neck, and under their collar or harness. For a more thorough check you can get a fine-toothed comb or flea comb from your local retailer (Tractor Supply has them in store or you can order it online from Ace Hardware) and use the comb to find any ticks that may be hiding in their coat. This is also particularly helpful for finding hidden burs, thorns, or other debris that may be trapped in their fur.
Final Takeaways
Tick prevention really comes down to personal comfort and consistency. Whether you choose DEET, picaridin, treated clothing, natural remedies, or a combination of preventative measures, the key is staying proactive. Any consistent preventative habit can go a long way in keeping yourself, your loved ones, and beloved pets safe this season!
Some Resources
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents.html
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents