How To Avoid Ticks While Hiking: 10 Best Tips

Hiking is great! It’s a great way to get in some serious exercise, enjoy nature, meet up with friends, etc. However, one thing many people don’t consider when they go hiking is how to avoid ticks while hiking. And if you do happen to be bitten, there are remedies and treatments that can help reduce your chance of infection from tick bites. Here we are going to discuss the top ten ways to prevent and treat tick bites while hiking and camping. Hopefully, this will help you stay safe during your next outdoor adventure.

Types of Tick And How to Identify Them

1. Brown Dog Tick

The brown dog tick is found throughout the United States, but it is most common in the Southwestern states. The adult female ticks can grow up to 3/4 inch long and have 8 legs. They are very small and light colored. Their bite is similar to other soft-bodied arthropods such as lice and fleas. The brown dog tick feeds on blood and its saliva contains an anticoagulant that inhibits clotting. As a result, the animal or person may bleed profusely after being bitten. If left untreated, the tick will burrow into the skin and cause a rash.

In addition, the tick can transmit diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tularemia, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and more. These diseases are all transmitted through the tick’s saliva. Fortunately, these diseases are rare, but they exist so it is important to know how to identify them and what to do about them.

2. Blacklegged (or Deer) Tick

Blacklegged ticks are also known as deer ticks because they primarily feed on white-tailed deer. They are not usually dangerous to humans unless they become infected with Borrelia burgdorferi which causes Lyme disease. The blacklegged tick has 4 pairs of legs and is much larger than the brown dog tick. Its bite typically results in a red area around the site of the bite.

The tick may take several weeks to fully develop, but once it does, it will begin feeding. Once attached, it will suck out blood until it becomes engorged. After a few days, the tick drops off and begins looking for another host. The blacklegged tick can carry multiple pathogens including West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Powassan Virus, Tularemia, Heartland Virus, Colorado Tick Fever, and others.

3. American Dog Tick

This species of tick is commonly found in the Northeastern region of the U.S. It can measure up to 1/2 inch in length and have 6 legs. The American dog tick is more aggressive than the brown dog tick and can attach itself within 30 minutes of being exposed to the host. Although the American dog tick is less likely to transmit disease, it is still possible. Some of the pathogenic organisms carried by this tick include Rickettsia rickettsii, R. akari, and R. parkeri.

Are Ticks Bite Dangerous?

Generally speaking, ticks are not dangerous and not likely to infect you with a deadly disease. But this is not true for all ticks. This is especially true for the soft-bodied ticks because they tend to be more aggressive in their search for blood. In fact, these types of ticks can engorge themselves within hours.

In some cases, tick bites cause no serious harm at all. However, if you are bitten by a tick on your skin and your skin is not the only part that’s attached to the animal, you may get quite a bit of blood for them to suck out. And in some cases, there are no immediate symptoms but the organism that was injected into you may still be there and can cause problems over time.

How Can You Identify a Tick?

There are two main types of ticks that pose a threat to humans: Hard-body ticks and Soft-body ticks. Both types of ticks need blood to survive. But hard-body ticks have barbs along their back end that allow them to latch onto the host. On the other hand, soft-body ticks use suction to attach themselves to the host.

Ticks can be difficult to identify. But if you know what to look for, it is much easier.

1. They are often brown in color and appear to be “stuck” to the skin.

2. They have eight legs and a roundworm-like appearance when viewed from behind. They also have two front claws near their mouthparts (3rd leg pair).

3. They are small, usually smaller than a pencil eraser, and are usually no more than one-quarter inch long.

4. One tick will be attached to the host but another will be wandering around on the host’s skin or clothing. In addition to being able to identify them by their appearance, you can also look for their telltale behavior.

5. They tend to move around a lot and have difficulty crawling on a flat surface like concrete or metal.

6. If you disturb a tick that’s attached to you, they will retreat into your skin and try to prevent easy removal.

Wait, I Thought That Ticks Were Dangerous?

Although ticks can be dangerous when they transmit something like Lyme disease, venereal disease, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, it is important to note that ticks are not necessarily harmful. In fact, the brown dog tick is often used as a model organism for medical research. In many cases, the bite of the brown dog tick will cause no symptoms at all. After all, these are soft-bodied ticks that feed on living blood and do not have any teeth.

Most tick bites take place on the exposed skin of the neck and behind the knees, but there are other areas where you can expect to be bitten. These include the feet and the scalp. If you notice a tick attached to your skin, do not panic. As long as it has not been there for more than 24 hours and is not engorged with blood, you are likely to be fine.

If you go to remove the tick using tweezers or other instruments, make sure that you only grab onto its head. If you do so, it is much less likely to release any of the salivary fluids that are left in its body. After you have grabbed onto the tick, carefully pull it off. If the entire body is removed from your skin, there is no risk of infection.

If you notice that you have a rash or something else out of the ordinary after being bitten by a tick, make sure that you visit a doctor to identify what has happened.

10 Tips for Preventing and Treating Tick Bites While Hiking

1) Know Your Environment – Are There Ticks In The Area?

Probably the most important tip on how to avoid ticks while hiking is knowing about ticks in general and where they like to hang out. Most experts agree that ticks prefer wooded areas and brushy areas where small animals live (squirrels, chipmunks, birds, rodents). Some experts even suggest that “tick-infested” areas may not necessarily mean that there are more ticks present than other times of year or nearby non-infested areas. Rather, it could simply mean that these places have higher concentrations of susceptible hosts such as squirrels, deer, etc., which means that ticks are able to reproduce faster and spread more easily.

So, while hiking through an area that appears to be infested, make sure to check yourself thoroughly before putting your clothes back on after being outside. If possible, take a shower immediately after coming indoors. Also, wear light colored clothing so that you can see any ticks that might be attached to you. If you find a tick, use tweezers or another tool to gently remove it. Do not squeeze the body of the tick because that will cause the tick to release its saliva into your skin. After removing the tick, wash your hands well with soap and water. You should also clean your clothes using hot water and detergent.

2) Wear Light Colored Clothing

Another very important tip to avoid ticks while hiking is to wear light colored clothing. Dark colors attract ticks and the heat generated by your body helps them thrive. Wearing dark colored clothing makes it easier for them to hide under the hair and skin. 

When hiking, try to wear long pants tucked into socks. Long sleeves are also recommended. Finally, wear shoes that protect your feet against thorns, sharp objects, and debris.

3) Check Yourself Before Going Back Into Your Tent Or Car

Once again, probably the biggest mistake hikers make is leaving their clothes on after spending time outdoors. When you come inside, you need to check yourself for ticks. Make sure to look at every inch of your body including your head, neck, ears, armpits, groin, knees, legs, arms, and torso. Even though you just took a shower, you still want to check yourself thoroughly.

If you find a tick, gently pull it off. Use tweezers or another instrument to carefully remove it without squeezing the body of the tick. Wash your hands well afterwards.

4) Use Insect Repellent

Insect repellents are highly effective at preventing ticks from attaching to you. They work by causing insects to move away from you. To repel ticks, apply repellent to exposed skin. Apply it to your wrists, ankles, waistline, and anywhere else that ticks like to hang out.

5) Be Careful With Deer

When trying to avoid ticks while hiking, be aware that deer ticks are responsible for carrying Lyme disease. These tiny parasites attach themselves to warm blooded animals such as deer, dogs, cats, horses, and humans. Once attached, the tick sucks blood until it reaches full maturity. Then the female tick lays her eggs in the host animal. As soon as the larvae hatch, they drop down to the ground and crawl around until they reach moist soil. Deer ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which causes Lyme disease. The bacteria are transmitted when a person comes into contact with infected ticks. It may take months or years for symptoms to develop. However, if left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to arthritis, heart problems, neurological conditions, and even death.

6) Wash Your Hiking Clothes

Make sure you wash all of your hiking clothes after each outing. Dirt attracts ticks and they love nothing more than hiding out in dark crevices where they can stay hidden. Soak your clothes in hot water with some mild laundry detergent. Dry them on high heat. If you don’t have access to a washing machine, toss your clothes in a dryer; it is a great way to avoid ticks

7) Keep Out Of Grass And Woodlands

Ticks tend to congregate in grassy areas and woodlands. Try to keep your hikes short and stick to paths instead. Stay away from tall grasses and brushy areas. Ticks like to cling to these types of plants. If you must hike in a field, do so early in the morning or late at night.

8) Wear Light Clothing

Wear lightweight clothing made from natural fibers, not synthetic ones. Synthetic fabrics trap moisture and ticks like crazy. Cotton is one of the best materials to use because its natural fibers help prevent ticks from clinging to the fabric.

9) Don’t Let Yourself Get Caught Off Guard

Increase your chances of avoiding ticks while hiking by staying alert! You never know when an insect will land on you. Check yourself frequently and be prepared to remove any ticks before they cause harm. Hiking through thick bushes, woods, and forests increases your chances of being bitten, which means you should be extra vigilant about checking yourself.

10) Get A Good Night Sleep

Sleep plays an essential role in our immune system. If you sleep poorly, you run the risk of catching a cold or other illnesses. Make sure you get plenty of rest every night. You should be able to fall asleep within 15 minutes after going to bed. Snoring, coughing, and sneezing are signs of poor sleep. Try to eliminate these habits.

 Seek Medical Attention Immediately

If you suspect you were bitten by a tick, see a doctor immediately. If you aren’t feeling sick yet, this could mean that you haven’t been exposed to enough of the infection. A rash usually develops within 24 hours of being bit by a tick. If you experience fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, or fatigue, seek medical attention right away.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember when hiking is to make sure you are aware of what ticks look like. They are small creatures that hide in the shadows and wait for their next meal. By learning how to avoid ticks while hiking, you can reduce the chance of getting a serious illness like Lyme disease. 

We hope you found this article helpful. Please share it with your friends and family. Have fun exploring nature.