How to Repel Ticks

Common wood tick

The thought of ticks makes most people's skin crawl. Perhaps it is because of the tick's desire for attaching itself firmly to its host and then draining a quantity of blood from those dark and moist places where you would rather not have something nibbling. Repelling ticks is not just about the yuck factor though. Ticks carry dangerous diseases and it is important to protect yourself.

Things You'll Need

• DEET repellant
• Permethrin repellant

Instructions

1. Wear long pants tucked into your socks.

2. Wear a long sleeved shirt tucked securely into your pants and secured with a belt.

3. Choose tightly-woven clothing that is light in color (easier to spot ticks).

4. Apply a DEET-based repellant to the skin, especially around the collar, wrists and other exposed areas where ticks may try to gain access.

5. Apply Permethrin repellant to non-skin areas like clothes or tents for added protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Check for ticks often. If you find one already embedded in the skin, use a pair of tweezers to slowly pull out for the most effective method of removal. It is a good idea to send the tick in to be tested for tick-borne diseases like Lyme's disease if possible.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Cented for Disease Control on Tick Protection