Ticks can carry several types of dangerous diseases. From Lyme disease to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and even a food allergy to red meat, ticks are nasty. The good news is you can minimize the number of ticks that find you by taking a few precautions.

1. Dampen boots and clothing with a permethrin-based tick spray.

Several companies offer convenient permethrin-based sprays that are effective for ticks. Two of the most popular are Ranger Ready Repellents and Sawyer. Important note: Permethrin isn’t like traditional bug repellents that you spray on skin. You must plan ahead and spray permethrin on boots and outerwear well before heading into the field; spray clothing outside and then hang it there to dry for at least 2 hours. This is a bit of hassle, but it’s not as bad as it sounds because permethrin will remain effective on the garments for up to 40 days, even if the garments are washed a few times. Permethrin is odor-free after drying, so it also works well in the fall during whitetail season. Studies show that permethrin is tremendously effective against ticks.

2. Wear tall, smooth-rubber boots.

I have zero scientific data to support this advice, but through many decades of hiking, hunting and fishing in tick country, I’ve seen first-hand that the number of ticks on my body is greatly reduced when I wear boots such as the 18-inch non-insulated LaCrosse Grange. I tuck my pant bottoms into these tall smooth-rubber boots and tick encounters are far less than if I were wearing leather or Cordura hikers or hunting boots. Tucking my pants into the boots is certainly one reason why ticks have a tougher time hitching a ride, but I think ticks also have a more difficult time due to the boot’s smooth-rubber material.

 

3. Wear ElimiTick hunting garments.

During turkey season, I wear Gamehide ElimiTick hunting clothing 100 percent of the time. This clothing features Insect Shield Technology for tick protection. The active ingredient is bonded tightly to the fabric; it doesn’t come off when you wash the garments. Gamehide says it will last through 70 washes

When I spend the day in the spring turkey woods shoulder to shoulder with a buddy who isn’t wearing ElimiTick gear, my buddy will be flicking away ticks from his clothing and skin during the day while I’m tick-free. At the end of the day, he’ll find a few stuck to his skin. I’m not saying I never have one stuck to my skin, but it’s rare. Click here to see the many brands that partner with Insect Shield.

4. Purchase and pack a TickEase tweezers.

Fact: The longer a tick is attached to your body, the greater your risk of a tick-borne infection. One product I learned about a couple years ago works well for removing standard-size ticks as well as tiny ones. A TickEase tweezer ($11.99, or two for $20) has a thin tip for removing ticks from people, and it has a slotted scoop on the other end for removing larger ticks from pets. I own two; I keep one in my pickup and pack a second with my hunting gear.

For more about ticks, check out this informative “Top Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Ticks” from the TickEase website. I learned a lot and I think you will, too.

Be smart this spring. Protect yourself and your family from ticks.