How To Not Be Eaten Alive by Ticks

As a human born and raised in San José, I can attest that spring and early summer are a dreamy time to hit the local trails. Recent rains make for verdant hillsides and clear blue skies, and the temperate weather leads to breezier hikes—both literally and figuratively! Unfortunately, the prospect of bug bites makes me squirmy, and ticks like a cool, lush landscape every bit as much as I do. Though they’re present in the Bay Area year round, their activity peaks right as mine does: between April and June. Despite these unsettling circumstances, I find that the antidote to the ick is information. As long as I’m cautious and well-prepared, I can up the chances of keeping those creepy crawlies at bay.

1. Stay home:

I’m totally kidding. Don’t let a tiny little insect deter you from enjoying the wonders of our open spaces. You can protect yourself against tick bites—you just need to know how!

2. Stay in the sun: 

Ticks like moist environments, especially the younger ones called “nymphs” (which are also the ones most likely to harbor Lyme disease). In fact, nymphs can’t survive in environments with lower than 80 percent humidity for more than eight hours. Good to know, right? When you stop for a break on your next hike, pick a nice dry spot in the sun and be sure to bring some sunscreen.

3. Limit hugging your dog (at least on the trail): 

If you’re a dog person and you enjoy our dog-friendly trails, you might be inviting more ticks into your life. Ticks like to hitchhike on dogs, so be sure to give your pup a good inspection when you get home from your hike and talk to your vet about the right tick treatment. Remember, ticks need to stay moist, so start by checking the moist areas of their bodies.

After a good romp through the grass, scan your dog’s fur for any unwanted hitchhikers. Put them in front of some heat (like a furnace vent, fireplace, or a good old-fashioned blow dryer) to get the ticks to start moving in search of more moisture. Once they surface on your pup’s coat, you can easily pluck them off with tweezers and place them in a cup of soapy water. The soap makes them sink to the bottom and it’s then easy to dispose of them later on.

4. Lighten up a little (on your wardrobe): 

The younger ticks, the ones called “nymphs” I was talking about earlier, are really tiny…like really tiny! They can be as small as a poppy seed which can make them really hard to see. By wearing light-colored clothing, it will be easier for you to identify these little buggers and remove them before they can bite.

5. Tuck and cover: 

Ticks like to climb to the tips of tall grasses and wait for unsuspecting mammals to pass. It may seem obvious, but keeping your skin covered prevents these intrepid ticks from latching on—especially if you’re walking in or near vegetation. When the weather is cool enough, I’ll even take it one step further by tucking my shirt into my waistband and my pant legs into my socks. I know—nerd alert—but this prevents ticks from crawling underneath my clothing and has the added benefit of giving your hiking partners a good laugh.

6. Change your costume: 

If possible, bring a new set of clothes to change into at the end of your hike. This might seem a bit overkill, but if you want the added peace of mind, it’s a good idea. When you get home, wash your hiking clothes in hot water and place them immediately in the dryer. Ticks can’t take the heat, and it’s the best way to ensure these teensy arachnids (and poison oak oil) can’t escape into the house.

7. Better living through chemicals…? 

If you want to take things to the next level, there is an insecticide called permethrin available that is effective at preventing tick bites. I’ve never felt the need to use it as the precautions listed above have seemed like enough. Permethrin will kill ticks and has been found to be more effective than DEET-based products at preventing tick bites. If you’re wanting to take every measure available to prevent tick bites, then this is one to explore.