Hikers love to go on their adventures during summer. The season brings out warm weather, which is perfect for hiking. But along with fantastic weather to hike in, summer also brings out the six-legged larva from their eggs. Otherwise known as ticks, these insects can totally ruin your whole hiking mood and wonder how to prevent ticks when hiking?
The ticks are also infamous for causing different medical problems, from Lyme disease and wreaking havoc on human health. However, that should not ruin your excitement! If you know how to prevent tick bites when hiking, tick bites will be the least of your worries. And if you continue reading, that is what you can learn!
Table of contents
- What are ticks and how they affect hiking
- Common Tick Species
- How to Avoid Ticks When Hiking
- How can I check for ticks after hiking?
- Check for Ticks When You Reach Home
- How to Remove Ticks
- Things You Shouldn’t Do!
- What You Should Do After Getting Bit by a Tick
- What Should You Do When You Find Ticks on Your Pets?
- Common Tick-Borne Diseases
- FAQs
- Final Words
- Jonesing for More Outdoor on Gear?
What are ticks and how they affect hiking
Ticks are small arachnids that are part of the mite family. They are external parasites, feeding on the blood of birds, mammals, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are vectors of a number of diseases that affect both humans and other animals, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick-borne encephalitis, among others.
Ticks can significantly affect your hiking experience. They thrive in wooded and grassy areas, which are common terrains for hiking. When you’re hiking, ticks can latch onto your skin if you brush against the vegetation where they’re waiting. Once on you, they seek out a spot to bite into your skin and start feeding on your blood. This is how they can transmit diseases.
Are some ticks more dangerous than others when hiking?
Yes, not all ticks are created equal when it comes to transmitting diseases. In the United States, the black-legged tick (or deer tick) in the Northeast and Midwest, and the western black-legged tick on the Pacific Coast, are known to transmit Lyme disease. The American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Common Tick Species
Before we talk about the ways to avoid ticks while hiking, you should have a fair idea regarding the species of common ticks. It will let you understand whether the things crawling on the hiking trails or hiking clothes are actually ticks or just harmless insects.
Brown Dog Tick
These ticks are present throughout areas of the US and Hawaii. As the name suggests, dogs are the primary victims of these ticks. Occasionally, a brown dog tick bites humans and other mammals. And the characteristics of these ticks are:
- Reddish-brown color
- Elongated body shape
- Hexagonal basis capituli
American Dog Tick
Otherwise known as Rocky Mountain Wood tick, these are mostly present on the Pacific Coast. You will also find ticks of this species in the Rocky Mountains. Widely distributed in the east of that region, these ticks are something people of the Rocky Mountain States worry about the most.
What’s more, the American Dog tick will typically climb up vegetation or grass or vegetation, with their legs outstretched, waiting for an animal to latch onto. If you know how to prevent tick bites when hiking, the best way is to wear light-colored hiking pants with treated with insect repellent.
Why? These can transmit tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever!
That said, the characteristics of these ticks are:
- Typically lives amongst tall grasses
- It can be found on tree cover if not on tall grass
- Active during the early summer and spring
- Size is approximately close to an apple seed
- Easily visible on long green grass
Deer Tick
Just like American Dog ticks, the Deer tick has another name. Yes, they are known as the Blacklegged or deer tick. Found in the contiguous United States and Alaska (none found in Hawaii), the heaviest tick presence is found between the East Coast and Texas. Also, the Great Lakes can be counted as tick country, since this species needs shade and moisture to survive.
Nonetheless, the Blacklegged tick is known to transmit Lyme disease, Powassan virus, and Anaplasmosis. On that note, more than 300 thousand people get tick bites and suffer from Lyme disease every year. Currently, people infected with Lyme disease are primarily in the northeast and upper midwest region.
Female deer ticks are identified by a reddish-brown body and black shield on their back. Their mouthparts are long and thin, while festoons (that we find in male deer ticks) aren’t present along the abdomen.
Aside from that, here is how you can recognize these ticks:
- Usually present in the forested areas (can be present on tall grass)
- Active during late fall and early spring
- Does not have any white markings on the body
- Tiny in size
Lone Star Tick
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the lone star tick is very aggressive. These ticks are primarily present in the southeastern states. However, plenty of these infected ticks are present in the upper Midwest and northeast.
The Lone Star tick has historically been more common in the southern United States, but they have gradually moved northward. They live all throughout the eastern part of America from Texas to Iowa and up to Maine’s coast. Lone star ticks can be found as far north as Maine, but are still much more prevalent in southern states.
The adult females and nymphs of these ticks frequently bite humans and spread different diseases. And these are their traits:
- Size of an apple seed
- Live on tall grass and trees
- Active during the summer and spring
- Have a silver-white spot or star marking on the body
Gulf Coast Tick
The Gulf Coast Tick is native to the southeastern, coastal states bordering the Gulf of Mexico and typically found in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and other nearby States. However, there have been a few reports of these ticks being found in Maine or Iowa. The tick prefers grass prairies near coastlines for their habitat.
Gulf Coast ticks have a three-host life cycle. They will feed at each stage on small mammals like rodents, but they prefer to target birds. The immature stages of the tick usually target the head and neck region of their hosts while mature Gulf Coast ticks often choose bigger animals such as bears, domestic dogs, coyotes or cattle and tend to go for the outside of their ears.
The gulf coast tick is different from other species in that it prefers a dryer environment. Other traits are:
- Live in grass and vegetation
- Recognizable by their ornate markings on the red body
- Adult males will have clean, white lines in a web-like pattern across the entire body
- Adult females will have bright, white markings on the dorsal shield.
- Populations found along the coast will be most active in August, with adults. The larvae are active throughout December and January, while nymphs are active from May-March.
- Populations found inland have an activity range of February-October, with adults being more busy in April
- In Florida ticks are seen during various months between February to September while Mississippi ticks are observed for a longer period ranging from March through November where there is a higher number of adult tick sightings around mid – late summertime (July).
Western Blacklegged Tick
The Western blacklegged tick is similar to the deer tick and spreads Lyme disease in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic and north-central United States. The western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) can be found all along the coast of the Western United States, including California, Oregon and Washington.
Ticks can attach to any part of your body but are often found in hard-to -see areas such as the groin, armpits and scalp. In most cases, a tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before Lyme bacteria is transmitted. How to prevent tick bites when hiking is avoid hiking in dense vegetation in these areas.
The Western blacklegged tick also has three stages of life. It molts its skin before it moves to the next stage, but for that process to occur, it must have a blood meal from an animal or human host.
How to spot these western black-legged on you, your pet, or in the wild:
- Similar in size and features to the deer tick yet, more elongated body
- Nymphs and hand out the bottom of trees, under the leaf litter
- Adults live on tall grass and vegetation, looking for hitchhiking opportunities for unsuspecting hosts to pass by
How to Avoid Ticks When Hiking
Just because ticks tend to live in the trails, it does not mean that you should avoid hiking altogether. Instead, you should learn how to avoid ticks while hiking by staying safe on trails. And these are the factors that should be in your mind:
Prevent Tick Bites with Frequent Inspection
If you want to avoid ticks while hiking, you need to do tick checks throughout the entire day. Whether you are roaming in the tick-prone area or taking breaks in forests where there are too many tall grasses, do a thorough check on your entire body for ticks. That includes hair, ears, belly button, behind the ears and knees, and groin.
Wear Insect Repellent
In order to prevent tick bites, you should wear insect repellant while you are on the trail. Insect repellents such as oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, DEET, and Piacridin will work like a charm as a tick repellent. Treating clothing with insect repellent is one of the best ways on how to prevent tick bites when hiking.
You can also wear permethrin-treated clothing. Wondering what permethrin is? It is basically a fabric insect repellent treatment. Clothing with this chemical on the surface will help if you do not have insect repellent.
Minimize the Skin Exposure to Prevent Tick Bites When Hiking
You should always hike with tick-repellent clothing while hiking. Wear long hiking pants, long-sleeved shirts, boots, and other outdoor gear, such as hiking leg gaiters, that minimize skin exposure. You should also wear tall socks and make them go over the pant leg. Remember, the less the exposed skin, the more you avoid ticks.
How can I check for ticks after hiking?
After hiking, it’s crucial to check your body for ticks. They can attach anywhere but are often found in hard-to-see areas. Here’s how to do a thorough tick check:
- Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried home on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed.
- Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later.
- Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease.
- Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body.
Wear Light Colored Clothing
Another way to prevent tick bites is to wear light-colored clothing. It will let you easily detect if a tick is crawling onto you. However, pair this method with the other preventive measures to avoid ticks while hiking effectively.
Educate Yourself
One of the effective methods of tick prevention is to educate yourself. Do your research and have a fair understanding of your hiking area. If you find that there are loads of reports of ticks in the area that spans for a few weeks, you might want to pick a different spot.
Avoid Tick-Prone Regions to Prevent Tick Bites
Another tick prevention measure that you can take while hiking is to avoid thick brush, leaf piles, and areas with tall and long grass. These areas will mostly have ticks all over them. Indeed, this is another how to prevent tick bites when hiking tip, for sure!
And if you do not tread on these areas, you are less likely to find a tick attached to your body when you reach home.
Always Carry Tweezers
There are loads of tick removal tools available in the market. However, among all of them, fine-tipped tweezers will work the best. This tool is pretty easy to carry as well.
 Amazon | $7.06 |  Amazon |$8.00 |
 Amazon | $12.95 |  |
Check for Ticks When You Reach Home
Even with all preventative measures, ticks can end up on your clothing and gear. For that reason, you should thoroughly check for ticks when you reach home. Prevent ticks from your hike from even making it inside your home. Before entering, check your clothing, backpack, and gear.
It would be better if you de-tick everything by throwing your gear and clothing, into a dryer, temperature setting on high.
How to Remove Ticks
If you found a tick on your skin, do not panic! You might not believe it, but it is pretty easy to remove the tick. Just follow these steps:
- Grasp the tick with a tweezer. Try to grab it as close to your skin as possible.
- With steady and even pressure, pull upward. Do not jerk or twist it because it will make the mouthparts break off and remain in your skin.
- If you still see any bits of the tick on your skin, use the tweezer to get them out. But that might not be possible if the bits are too small. In that case, leave them there and let the skin heal.
- After removing the live tick, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol.
Things You Shouldn’t Do!
Now those are what you should do when you see a tick biting your skin. But what about the things you should not do? They are as follows:
Never crush it when it is on your skin. That will make the mouthparts stay on your skin. And as you know by now, if the parts are too small, you might not be capable of taking them off your skin.
Do not put Vaseline or nail polish on the area. It will not make the tick detach from your skin. Some people also apply heat, which makes things worse. Instead, gently use the tweezer and take it off your skin.
Get it out of your body as soon as possible. Please do not wait for it to remove itself. The tick will not detach itself! Instead, use the tweezer method as soon as you spot it on your skin.
What You Should Do After Getting Bit by a Tick
As you can see, removing a tick is pretty straightforward. However, that is just the first half of the story. After you get bit, follow the bite-monitor method. In other words, you need to check the overall condition of your body and the bitten area.
Your skin will develop a rash or get reddish in most cases. But that is not the worst-case scenario. You might develop a fever or flu-like symptoms.
Well, that is when you need to see a doctor. Make sure to tell your doctor how recent the bite was. Without that information, it will not be possible to offer you proper treatment.
What Should You Do When You Find Ticks on Your Pets?
It goes without saying that many bring their pet to the hiking trail. And unlike you, your dog or cat will not avoid areas with too many ticks. For that reason, you should treat your pets in advance.
An additional tip on how to prevent tick bites when hiking, is to avoid bringing their next meal (aka your dog) with you, if at all possible. But if you pup is dying for a hike, then there are plenty of preventive medications available for pets. Opt for the one that your veterinarian suggests.
Furthermore, just like checking on yourself for ticks, check whether there are any ticks present on your pets or not during the hiking sessions. Always keep a tweezer in hand and get rid of the ticks as soon as you spot them.
Finally, do a thorough inspection before entering your car or your home. Give yourself and your dog a proper hot shower.
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit – Stainless… |
$12.95 |
Shop Amazon | |
| 2 |
|
TickCheck Tick Remover Value 3 Pack – Tick Remover… |
$4.99 |
Shop Amazon | |
| 3 |
|
Tick Remover Tool 3 Pack, Suitable for Pets,… |
$9.99
$7.99 |
Shop Amazon | |
| 4 |
|
JOTOVO 3 Pack Tick Remover Tool Portable, Tick… |
$11.99 |
Shop Amazon | |
| 5 |
|
Homesake – Tick Remover Tool for Dogs, Cats &… |
$5.99
$4.89 |
Shop Amazon |
Common Tick-Borne Diseases
Tick-borne diseases in the United States are pretty common among the people that get tick bites. Usually, tick-infested regions have the most cases. But that does not mean that you will not have to worry about these diseases if you are hiking in an area with a reasonably low presence of ticks.
If you have been bitten by a tick, we recommend check for tick-borne disease-related symptoms. Also, beef up on knowledge and have a proper understanding of these tick-borne diseases:
Lyme Disease
The cases of Lyme diseases have gone up to 30 percent over the last decade. And as you know, Lyme disease is spread mainly by the deer tick. It takes 18-24 hours for transmission. Symptoms typically appear between 3-30 days after a tick bite.
That said, the thing about Lyme disease is that it is tough to diagnose whether you have it or not after you get a tick bite. You might have it for a while, or you can develop a lifelong chronic illness.
And you should know that one in every two female deer ticks is infected with Lyme disease. So, compared to other ticks, people take deer ticks seriously.
Talking of which, the typical symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Fatigue, headache, chills
- Blurred vision, numbness, tingling
- Bulls-eye rashes on the skin’s surface
- Fever, muscle and joint aches
- It can also spread into the heart, joints, or nervous system. However, skin rash is the first thing you will notice after getting Lyme disease.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Another common tick-borne illness is the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. And unlike some other hiking ticks’ diseases, this can get you bedridden in just five days. For that reason, it is pretty crucial to get treated on the very first day or when the bite occurs.
Transmission time is between 18-24 hours. Symptoms show quickly, within 2-12 days. If you notice any of these symptoms, get to the emergency immediately. As in now.
- Headache, fever, nausea and vomiting are the first symptoms of this disease but it often progresses to more severe and life threatening symptoms.
- Spotted rash
- Blood vessel damage (amputation may be needed if you don’t treat it)
- Mental and physical disability
Babesia
Also known as Piroplasm, this tick-induced disease can cause malaria-like symptoms. And just like malaria, this disease can infect the red blood cells and cause inflammation. To avoid getting infected, learn how to prevent tick bites when hiking by following some of our tips above.
Look for these symptoms:
- Flu-like symptoms are possible
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fever, chills, and sweating
- Fatigue
STARI
Mostly caused by the Lone Star ticks, STARI can cause a similar skin rash as Lyme disease. The bite area can also get reddish and swollen. However, the rash will be less consequential.
You may notice symptoms such as:
- Small rash
- Fever and chills
- Muscle and joint aches
- Fatigue and headaches
Alpha-Gal
Found in mammals that humans eat, such as sheep, pigs, and cows, Alpha-gal is basically a carbohydrate. And the ticks that contain this carbohydrate can make your immune system go crazy and overreact to the bite.
Also, this tick bite can even make you allergic to meat for life.
FAQs
To prevent tick bites while hiking, follow these steps:
-Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks for maximum protection.
-Use a bug repellent with at least 20% DEET on exposed skin and clothing.
-Stick to the center of trails to avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks may be waiting.
-After your hike, check your body thoroughly for ticks, paying special attention to hidden areas like the armpits, groin, and scalp.
If you find a tick on your body after a hike, it’s important to remove it correctly:
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
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 it down the toilet.
After a hike, be vigilant for symptoms of tick-borne diseases, which can appear from 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. These may include:
Fever/chills: With tick-borne diseases, you may experience fever at varying degrees and time of onset.
Aches and pains: Tick-borne disease symptoms include fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Rash: Lyme disease, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and others, may present a rash. Not everyone with Lyme disease
Final Words
The presence of ticks should not deter you from enjoying a good hike, but it’s important to take precautions. These include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, using insect repellent, sticking to the center of trails, and doing a thorough tick check on your body and clothing after your hike. By taking these steps, you can minimize the risk of tick bites and the potential diseases they can carry, ensuring that your hiking experience remains enjoyable and healthy.
The thought of ticks is quite terrifying, right? But the thing is, this thought should not stop you from enjoying what summer hiking has to bring to the table. Just learn how to prevent tick bites when hiking, and you should be all good!
Have you been bitten by a tick? Share your experiences below and Leave us a comment!
Jonesing for More Outdoor on Gear?
Here are some links to our most popular articles:
- How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking
- Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking for a Comfortable Night
- Prevent Hiker Rash with these 7 Tips
- Best Hydration Bladders for Hiking and Backpacking
- 15 Best Women’s Hiking Boots: Find Your Cute Pair
- Best Backpacks for Dogs: How to Choose and Fit
- The Best Tent for Camping With Your Dog [2024]
Last update on 2025-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API