Few things in the outdoors make people squirm as much as ticks, and for good reason. Besides being carriers of some awful diseases, they’re pretty disgusting to look at and remove, particularly when they're attached and engorged.
Experts are predicting a tick population explosion this year, so it's time to get up to speed on ticks. Recent irregular winter weather has meant greater survival of larva and adult ticks, which leads to a population boom in the spring.
Most hikers are aware of ticks, however there's a lot of misinformation out there surrounding ticks, especially when it comes to risks and how to deal with the ones found crawling or implanted in you. In this article we'll cover general information on ticks, prevention, removal, and how to best protect yourself.
Different species live in different regions of the country, carrying and transmitting species-specific diseases. Only a few select species, however, bite and transmit disease to people, and much of it seasonally dependent. Some populations of ticks may be found general areas listed below. The CDC has very informative diagrams of geographical distributions of each tick species.
According to Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH, a nationally recognized expert on ticks, there are many tick-borne infections that pose a threat to humans and dogs. Below are some of the well known and recently surfaced tick-borne illnesses.
Ticks typically go through three stages of development before becoming an adult: egg, larva and nymph. In general, May is the most active month across the country of for ticks.
INSPECT DAILY - Be sure to check yourself daily (or several times a day if hiking in a tick-infested area) when backpacking or hiking in forests and brush-covered landscapes. Generally, people cannot feel a tick bite, but after a day or two, they feel a mild itch.
Despite the rumors, ticks don’t jump, fly or fall from trees. What they do, instead, is use a built in carbon dioxide sensor to help them detect mammals. They’ll wait for a host to come into their vicinity and then, using outstretched front legs latch onto a host and began hitching up to a warm spot to begin their feast, usually near the buttocks, pants line or waist or armpits.
Below is a diagram from the Center of Disease Control which outlines hotspots on your body that ticks gravitate toward. Check these areas thoroughly.
WEAR INSECT REPELLANT - A good way to keep ticks off you is to wear insect repellant. The CDC approved list includes DEET, Piacridin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or (PMD).
SPRAY PERMETHRIN - Before heading outdoors, spray your clothing, gear, and hiking footwear with permethrin, an insecticide that kills mosquitos, black flies, and ticks, with no harm to humans or dogs. Permethrin is effective on clothing and gear for multiple washing cycles.
EDUCATE YOURSELF - Do your research and have an understanding of tick prevalence in the region you're hiking. Read trip reports on your intended hiking route to check current conditions. Understand the risks and ways you can protect yourself. That said, you're already here reading this, so you're ahead of the curve :)
MINIMIZE CONTACT WITH TICKS - Avoid hiking in tall grass, brushy areas, or heavily wooded areas. If taking breaks, try to avoid sitting directly on the ground if ticks are aggressive. Always hike in the center of the trail to reduce contact with ticks.
WEAR LIGHT COLORED CLOTHING AND TUCK - Wear light colored clothing so you can easily detect a tick crawling on you. If you know you're hiking in tick country, do not wear shorts. Instead, wear long pants and tuck them into your socks to keep ticks from crawling up your legs. Also, tuck your shirt into your pants to keep ticks from entering near your waistband hotspot.
CARRY A TWEEZER OR TICK REMOVER - Several tick removal tools are available for purchase, but a simple fine-tipped tweezer is easy to carry and does the job. We recommend carrying your tool in a ziplock bag, which can double as a receptacle for a removed tick, if needed.
WHEN YOU RETURN HOME:
If you find a tick on you, don’t panic. Follow these steps from the Center of Disease Control to ensure proper removal and follow-up procedures.
NEVER CRUSH A TICK WITH YOUR FINGERS - Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing the alcohol-drowned tick down the toilet, if at home.
DON'T TRY "PAINTING" THE TICK - Some people have heard of the strategy of “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Instead, remove the tick as quickly as possible– do not wait for it to detach.
FOLLOWING A BITE, MONITOR SYMPTOMS - If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see a doctor pronto. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick.
Many people bring their dogs with them in the outdoors and and they can be very susceptible to ticks. To prevent your pet from contracting a tick-borne disease or carrying ticks or larvae into your home after a trip, it's imperative that you take preventive measures with your pets. Below are several tips on protecting your pets.
TREAT THEM IN ADVANCE - If you hike with your dog, treat them with a monthly preventative medication. We recommend checking with your veterinarian for specific product recommendations for your pet.
DAILY INSPECTIONS - Just as you check yourself daily, it's important to do the same with your pets. Give them a quick brush at the trailhead and run your fingers across their chests, belly and legs. If a tick is found, remove it immediately using the similar steps to a human. Some people even keep a Tick Key on their dog's collar so you always have a tool handy.
CHECK THOROUGHLY BEFORE GETTING INTO YOUR CAR - If you're heading off the trail, check them before you get into your car. If they carry them into the house, you increase the likelihood of having them latch on to you.
USE DUCT TAPE FOR LARVAE - To get a lot of crawling larvae off of you or your dog before they bite, try using duct tape as soon as you notice them.
Although the thought of ticks can be quite horrifying, with a little bit of education, proper protection, and vigilance, hiking in tick country can be enjoyable and safe. In general, wearing tick repellent clothing is the easiest and best way for people to prevent tick bites when they’re in the outdoors. But inspecting yourself before you crawl into your tent at night or return to your car is the best defense against a tick that has crawled on you and one that has bitten you. Vigilance is key.
We hope this guide equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to hike and backpack in tick country. For more popular CleverHiker content, check out the following links:
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