How do you guys protect yourself from Ticks while out in the field?

[Ralph]

Hi ,


I love going out into the woods and fields to walk and shoot. But being a NJ resident my whole life , the tick population has become ridiculous. I’m tired of becoming a pin cushion and the last thing I want in my life is to contract Lyme disease or some other tick born disease.

My question is, how do you guys deal with the problem? What type of clothing do you recommend. I know there are cloths you can buy that have permethrin in them. How effective are they? Is that my best bet? Any recommendation from your personnel experience would be much appreciated.

 

[Capelle Ch]

Very good question. Here too, we are more and more affected by ticks. Personally, I never go for a walk in the forest in shorts and a T-shirt. What matters is to be covered and to avoid entry (especially at the level of the shoes, socks above the pants). An inspection is still recommended because the critters are small (ears, armpits, etc ...). Have an anti-tick forceps, do not use alcohol or ether before removing the tick, disinfect the bite (no alcohol) and watch for the appearance of redness (the appearance can occur between 3 days to a month). If appearance, direct doctor

 

[Ralph]

Very good question. Here too, we are more and more affected by ticks. Personally, I never go for a walk in the forest in shorts and a T-shirt. What matters is to be covered and to avoid entry (especially at the level of the shoes, socks above the pants). An inspection is still recommended because the critters are small (ears, armpits, etc ...). Have an anti-tick forceps, do not use alcohol or ether before removing the tick, disinfect the bite (no alcohol) and watch for the appearance of redness (the appearance can occur between 3 days to a month). If appearance, direct doctor

Thanks Capelle. Good advice. I have become very proficient at removal and at this point can even ID several species. But I have read about special clothing that may prevent ticks from even climbing onto your clothing. Wondering if anyone uses it and how it works.

 

[BillW]

I live in Minnesota where ticks and Lymes disease are around. I believe the Minnesota DNR generally recommends permethrin treated clothing for ticks. Apparently it is toxic to ticks and they do not like to be in contact with it. The DNR did some testing, if memory serves, and found that it helped, although it was not perfect.

During tick season, when I am going for a walk in the local national wildlife refuge, around our cabin in Northern Minnesota or otherwise out in a field or forest, I wear a pair of low-cut hiking shoes that I treat with a permethrin spray each season. I wear permethrin treated socks and permethrin treated pants — both of these are treated by the manufacturer and are said to be good for 70 washings. I also tuck the pant leg bottoms into my socks — looks funny, but I think it helps. I have had good luck with this, but have not done any scientific tests. Our dogs have gotten ticks, so I know they are out there.

I have a couple of permethrin treated shirts. I generally use those for mosquitos and not for ticks.

I am not wild about having that chemical in my clothing against my skin. But putting on a repellent directly on my skin seems worse. And I think the risk of Lymes disease merits using some sort of protection. Inspections and showers after outings help too.

 

[Woody Meristem]

Until 2000 I'd only had two embedded ticks in 40 years of wandering forest and field; that year I had seven embedded black-legged (deer) ticks -- the carrier of Lyme disease. After that I began treating my field pants with permethrin spray which has VERY low toxicity to mammals once it's dry. In the 19 years since I've only had three embedded ticks and I'm in the field every day for both work and "play". Those three were all on days when I'd been pushing my way through head-high plants.

Several times I've found black-legged ticks on my treated pants, captured them in a specimen vial and found them dead in 10-20 minutes. Permethrin is actually an insecticide, not a repellent, so don't spray it on your skin. Ticks don't jump, they cling to vegetation and wait until a host brushes past at which time they grab on and then seek a sheltered spot to begin to embed and feed. It's a mistake to think ticks won't embed in your scalp, they will if they get on you and among your hair is the most sheltered spot they can find. I've never tucked my pants in my socks, to me it's a waste of time and uncomfortable to boot (that's a pun).

From what I've seen, insect repellents like DEET, applied to socks and pants will often cause ticks to climb in an effort to get away from the repellent. Then, they'll usually seek a sheltered spot (belt-line, armpits, hat sweat-band, etc.) but they may be found anywhere. In some parts of my area 50% of black-legged ticks have been found to carry Lyme disease -- which, if left untreated, can be very serious in some people.

I was an entomology major in graduate school (although I've not spent my life as an entomologist). Ticks haven't cut down on my time in the field, I've just learned as much as I could from knowledgeable authorities about both tick life styles and tick-borne diseases and take precautions (permethrin).

 

[Andrew Lamberson]

I wear my hip waders. The little buggers can't climb up the wader fabric. I keep my shirt tucked in and wear long sleeves. I always wear a t-shirt. When I get back to the car I use a hand brush on my clothes before I take my waders off. I shower as soon as I get home.

I live in Minnesota and I contracted Lymes Disease a few years ago and it was a pretty big deal. When I went to the Dr. I told him I either have heart failure or I had Lymes because I could not even walk down to the mailbox! I showed him a big red spot, that I thought was a bruise (it wasn't!).

When I do my yearly physical I insist on a Lymes test.

 

[ingweDave]

I've never seen it anywhere else but on the trips I have made to Panama, they provide a sulphur pad at the exits from the lodges. These are liberally dabbed onto socks and the bottom of trousers. Probably not Eco friendly!!

 

[Rassie]

I like the idea of covering up with clothing and even impregnating the clothes with a toxin or repellent.
Twice in my life I've had a bunch of ticks climb onto me after walking in the bush. The last time was in Golden Gate State Park in Colorado in May 2018. I went off the road to find an open spot for the image attached where my view was not obstructed by trees.

I was only out for about 10-15 minutes. After that, during the course of the day I removed seven ticks from my body.
This from the Mayo Clinic's website: In general, to transmit Lyme disease a tick needs to be attached for at least 36 hours. Other infections can be transferred in a few hours or even a few minutes.

The things we suffer for our hobby!

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Ralph]

In addition to Capelle’s post
Allways use a hat! You won’t find a tick on your head untill it had its bloodmeal.

Some people use a permethrin solution to impregnate their clothes but that’s HIGHLY toxic in aquatic environments (not to mention it can kill cats)
Permethrin causes ‘Hot feet’ so the tick and any other insect will jump of directly.
Others use Deet (same application) but there’s still word it can cause cancer so I’d be carefull with high concentrations.
In Europe you can buy outdoor clothing which got a special longlasting repellant treatment.
I use This Brand
Nonetheless the best protection is:
To cover yourself
To close possible entrances
To use a 30% Deet solution (not more the effectiveness in time doesn’t last much longer beyond 30%)
Most important is Check yourself ,or easier, have you checked by your partner if possible and remove as fast and ,like Capelle said, the tick correctly.

From what I read th cloths are treated with permethrin.

 

[Ralph]

I live in Minnesota where ticks and Lymes disease are around. I believe the Minnesota DNR generally recommends permethrin treated clothing for ticks. Apparently it is toxic to ticks and they do not like to be in contact with it. The DNR did some testing, if memory serves, and found that it helped, although it was not perfect.

During tick season, when I am going for a walk in the local national wildlife refuge, around our cabin in Northern Minnesota or otherwise out in a field or forest, I wear a pair of low-cut hiking shoes that I treat with a permethrin spray each season. I wear permethrin treated socks and permethrin treated pants — both of these are treated by the manufacturer and are said to be good for 70 washings. I also tuck the pant leg bottoms into my socks — looks funny, but I think it helps. I have had good luck with this, but have not done any scientific tests. Our dogs have gotten ticks, so I know they are out there.

I have a couple of permethrin treated shirts. I generally use those for mosquitos and not for ticks.

I am not wild about having that chemical in my clothing against my skin. But putting on a repellent directly on my skin seems worse. And I think the risk of Lymes disease merits using some sort of protection. Inspections and showers after outings help too.

I have a tendency to agree with you. Rather risk the exposure to permethrin than Lyme.

 

[clippy]

I have used permethrin and it seems to work for me but I’m not sure about the cons. My biggest problem is deer flies, they eat me alive. What do others do for deer flies? I’m not trying to high Jack this thread, just curious.

 

[Ralph]

Until 2000 I'd only had two embedded ticks in 40 years of wandering forest and field; that year I had seven embedded black-legged (deer) ticks -- the carrier of Lyme disease. After that I began treating my field pants with permethrin spray which has VERY low toxicity to mammals once it's dry. In the 19 years since I've only had three embedded ticks and I'm in the field every day for both work and "play". Those three were all on days when I'd been pushing my way through head-high plants.

Several times I've found black-legged ticks on my treated pants, captured them in a specimen vial and found them dead in 10-20 minutes. Permethrin is actually an insecticide, not a repellent, so don't spray it on your skin. Ticks don't jump, they cling to vegetation and wait until a host brushes past at which time they grab on and then seek a sheltered spot to begin to embed and feed. It's a mistake to think ticks won't embed in your scalp, they will if they get on you and among your hair is the most sheltered spot they can find. I've never tucked my pants in my socks, to me it's a waste of time and uncomfortable to boot (that's a pun).

From what I've seen, insect repellents like DEET, applied to socks and pants will often cause ticks to climb in an effort to get away from the repellent. Then, they'll usually seek a sheltered spot (belt-line, armpits, hat sweat-band, etc.) but they may be found anywhere. In some parts of my area 50% of black-legged ticks have been found to carry Lyme disease -- which, if left untreated, can be very serious in some people.

I was an entomology major in graduate school (although I've not spent my life as an entomologist). Ticks haven't cut down on my time in the field, I've just learned as much as I could from knowledgeable authorities about both tick life styles and tick-borne diseases and take precautions (permethrin).

Thanks Woody. Good to know the clothing works well. I was aware of permethrin being an insecticide. It kills ticks Doesn’t just repel.

 

[Ralph]

I wear my hip waders. The little buggers can't climb up the wader fabric. I keep my shirt tucked in and wear long sleeves. I always wear a t-shirt. When I get back to the car I use a hand brush on my clothes before I take my waders off. I shower as soon as I get home.

I live in Minnesota and I contracted Lymes Disease a few years ago and it was a pretty big deal. When I went to the Dr. I told him I either have heart failure or I had Lymes because I could not even walk down to the mailbox! I showed him a big red spot, that I thought was a bruise (it wasn't!).

When I do my yearly physical I insist on a Lymes test.

Sorry to hear that you got it. I hope all is well now. One of my students contracted It years ago and it really debilitatEd her. My daughter has a student now and it cause blindness in him. That disease is no joke.

 

[joe43]

I used to have a pair of long pants from LL Bean that had an anti-tick sleeve sowen into the bottom of each pants leg. The sleeve prevented anything from migrating up the inside of the pants. I do not see anybody offering such pants today. You could probably have a local seamstres add some sleves to your outdoor pants.

Failing that, I would buy very long socks, treat them, my pants and my shirts and boots with permethian. I would tuck the pants inside the socks. Some of my friends add tape to seal the socks and pants.

 

[BillW]

I tend to prefer items pre-treated by the manufacturer. The treatment lasts longer, presumably because it is more tightly bonded to the fabric. Maybe better for the wearer too? I have pre-treated pants, socks, shirts and a hat. Have not seen pre-treated shoes, so I treat a pair myself each season with a permethrin spray.

 

[gordon_g]

If it not too hot I wear long pants if it hot I'll wear shorts but Im always checking.. have had a couple on me but never latched on yet. always wear a baseball cap as well.
We don't generally have a problem where I live so it's not a big concern.

 

[Warren D]

I won't use DEET (oh and by the way, if you get DEET on your hands DO NOT touch your camera as your fingerprints will etch into the plastic!) but I found an all natural product called Caroline's Dirty Water. Seems to work great, just spray it on clothes before hitting the woods. Of course the usual techniques are also called for, tuck pants in socks etc.

 

[Woody Meristem]

Just to elaborate on my earlier post: I always spray my own pants but lightly and they only get washed every six weeks and then sprayed again (yeah, they stand up on their own after that long because I wear them for at least a couple of hours a day). No way would I ever wear shorts in forest or field, it's much better to sweat than to get Lyme disease.

The son of an acquaintance had many odd medical issues and was finally diagnosed with Lyme after being tested for a host of other diseases. He never knew he'd had an embedded tick nor had he shown any of the typical early symptoms; he's OK now, but it was a long slog. Fortunately our family physician is well aware of the problems Lyme can cause and has never hesitated to give me a prophylactic dose of doxycycline. Unfortunately, not all doctors recognize the problems Lyme can cause nor consider it a potentially serious disease.

 

[Andy Work]

I use permethrin on clothes/boots. You're not supposed to get it on your skin.

 

[pochito]

I wouldn't worry much about ticks falling from trees to your head
They live in grass or bushes.

• Wear long trousers and closed shoes (tuck your trousers into your socks). Ticks are easier to spot on light-coloured clothing.
• Use an anti-tick spray on clothing, shoes and parts of the body that may come in contact with grass or bushes.
• Keep out of the undergrowth.
• Check your body and clothing for ticks after you have been outdoors.

 

[Ralph]

If it not too hot I wear long pants if it hot I'll wear shorts but Im always checking.. have had a couple on me but never latched on yet. always wear a baseball cap as well.
We don't generally have a problem where I live so it's not a big concern.

It’s a major issue in NJ. I’ve taken my dog for a walk on trails where he never came into contact with underbrush. Stayed on trail the whole time and at the end of walk I pulled over 50 ticks off of him. Another time, walked onto trail for less than 5 minutes to check out a pond and found a lone star tick embedded. And they are very painful and leave a nice sore on your skin. I even found them on me after cutting the grass.

 

[pochito]

And they are very painful and leave a nice sore on your skin. I even found them on me after cutting the grass.

Most tick bites are painless and cause only minor signs and symptoms, such as redness, swelling or a sore on the skin. That's a reason why many people discover them too late if they are not careful.
Just my five cents.

 

[Ken Miracle]

I live in Idaho ... I use light colored or open country camo long sleeve shirt and pants and hat ... when it is the season and I am in moist environments where ticks, deer flies, mosquitos etc. will be a problem I use Columbia Insect Blocker pants and shirt (have never had a tick with those but have with just the light pants and shirt) luckily I found them before they munched on me.

 

[Rodamu]

Chemical treated clothing will lose the chemicals after several washings, so it may be cheaper and more practical to spray your clothing. The healthiest solution is to cover up. Military uniforms came either with ties or blousing bands (mini bungi cords) to close the bottom of the pants. The cords and a velcro bands alternative are available in outdoor stores or military style stores. If you don't have high top shoes, another solution is to use gaiters. Snow sports stores usually have them and they were and maybe still are, used by motorccylists. Note several people recommend wearing a hat--not a cap. the all-around brim provides good protection if your head brushes branches.
And yes, ticks are good jumpers, you don't have to brush against grasses or limbs to acquire a tick.

An internet source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a32676044/best-tick-repellent/

 

[Ken Miracle]

Chemical treated clothing will lose the chemicals after several washings, so it may be cheaper and more practical to spray your clothing. The healthiest solution is to cover up. Military uniforms came either with ties or blousing bands (mini bungi cords) to close the bottom of the pants. The cords and a velcro bands alternative are available in outdoor stores or military style stores. If you don't have high top shoes, another solution is to use gaiters. Snow sports stores usually have them and they were and maybe still are, used by motorccylists. Note several people recommend wearing a hat--not a cap. the all-around brim provides good protection if your head brushes branches.
And yes, ticks are good jumpers, you don't have to brush against grasses or limbs to acquire a tick.

An internet source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a32676044/best-tick-repellent/

I have two sets of tick proof clothes and air one out after wearing and use the other. I do not wash frequently because they will loose protection. They can also be retreated and I have done that and this has proven convenient and not to expensive ... I bought them on sale at Cabela's years ago. Good advice on the hat I use an Outdoor Research (OR) bucket hat for sun and tick protection ... had cancer surgery on my driver side ear from years of wearing ball caps and driving my old bronco in the Idaho sun. I usually use gaiters, I use Kenetrek but there are other similar gaiters from OR and others out there, to keep the cheat grass seeds etc. out and it also helps with the ticks. I also have a couple of pair of Spyder (other brands available) light weight light color quick dry pants with elastic cuffs that seal over my boots for photo forays on our local dirt path nature trail green belt along the Boise River where yup there are ticks, poison ivy etc. and these work great.