How To Keep Ticks Off Your Body And Clothing

Quick answer

• Treat your gear. Permethrin is your best friend for clothing and tents.
• Check yourself. Do a thorough tick check after every outing.
• Stay on the trail. Avoid walking through tall grass or brush.
• Use repellent. DEET or picaridin on exposed skin works.
• Shower soon. Washing can wash off unattached ticks.
• Know the risks. Understand tick-borne diseases in your area.

For exposed skin, consider an effective DEET insect repellent like this one to keep ticks at bay.

What to check first (do this before you drive out)

Before you even pack the car, get this stuff squared away. It’s way easier to prevent tick trouble than to deal with it later.

• Land manager / legality

Who’s in charge of the land you’re visiting? Is it National Forest, BLM land, a State Park, or private? Each might have slightly different rules about camping, fires, or even what you can bring. A quick look at their official website or a call can save you a headache. I usually check the US Forest Service or BLM site for dispersed camping spots.

• Access/road conditions

How do you get there? Is the road paved, gravel, or just a dirt track? If you’re in a 2WD sedan, you might want to rethink that remote campsite. Check recent reports if possible, especially if you’re going during mud season or after heavy rain. High clearance and 4WD are often necessary for true backcountry access.

• Fire restrictions + weather + wind

This is a big one. Fire restrictions can change daily. Always check the local land manager’s site for current burn bans. Also, look at the forecast. High winds can make campfires dangerous, and extreme weather means you need to pack accordingly. Don’t get caught in a sudden storm.

• Water plan + waste plan (Leave No Trace)

Where will you get water? If you’re not near a potable source, you need a filter, purification tablets, or a plan to boil. And what about waste? Pack it in, pack it out. That includes food scraps, wrappers, and human waste if you’re not in an area with facilities. LNT principles are non-negotiable out there.

• Safety (wildlife, distance to help, comms)

What kind of critters share the space? Bears? Mountain lions? Know the local wildlife and how to store your food properly. How far are you from the nearest ranger station or town? Do you have cell service? A satellite communicator is a good idea for remote trips. It’s about being prepared for the unexpected.

Step-by-step (field workflow)

This is your routine. Make it a habit.

1. Treat your clothing and gear.

• What to do: Before you leave, spray down your hiking clothes, socks, boots, and even your tent or backpack with permethrin spray. Follow the product instructions carefully. Let everything dry completely before packing.
• What “good” looks like: Your gear is dry and has that slightly stiff feel from the treatment. It’s ready to repel ticks for multiple washes.
• Common mistake: Not letting it dry completely. This can leave you with skin irritation and a strong chemical smell. Just be patient.

2. Use repellent on exposed skin.

• What to do: Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to any skin not covered by treated clothing.
• What “good” looks like: You’ve got a good, even coat on your arms, legs, neck, and any other exposed areas. It feels like a protective layer.
• Common mistake: Missing spots. Ticks are small and can find any opening. Pay attention to ankles, wrists, and the back of your neck.

When applying repellent to exposed skin, an EPA-registered DEET insect repellent is a reliable choice for long-lasting protection.

3. Stay on cleared trails.

• What to do: When hiking, stick to the center of the path. Avoid walking through tall grass, weeds, or brush where ticks like to hang out.
• What “good” looks like: You’re walking on packed dirt or gravel, with minimal contact with vegetation on either side.
• Common mistake: Bushwhacking or taking shortcuts through dense vegetation. This is prime tick territory. Just stick to the path, even if it’s a bit longer.

4. Wear light-colored clothing.

• What to do: Choose lighter colored shirts and pants when possible.
• What “good” looks like: Ticks, which are often dark, are easier to spot against a light background.
• Common mistake: Wearing dark clothing and hoping for the best. You’re essentially making it harder to see them.

5. Tuck your pants into your socks.

• What to do: At the trailhead or before you enter tick-prone areas, tuck the bottoms of your pants into your socks.
• What “good” looks like: Your pant legs form a seal over your socks, preventing ticks from crawling up your legs.
• Common mistake: Leaving pant legs flapping free. Ticks can easily climb inside. It looks a bit dorky, but it works.

6. Set up camp in cleared areas.

• What to do: When choosing a campsite, look for areas that are already mowed or have less dense vegetation. Avoid setting up directly next to tall grass or brush.
• What “good” looks like: Your tent and seating area are on relatively clear ground, reducing your immediate exposure.
• Common mistake: Pitching your tent in the middle of a meadow full of wildflowers and tall grass. You’re inviting them in.

7. Do a quick tick check during breaks.

• What to do: Periodically, especially after sitting down or moving through dense areas, do a quick visual scan of your clothing and exposed skin.
• What “good” looks like: You catch any potential hitchhikers early before they have a chance to attach.
• Common mistake: Waiting until the end of the day. Ticks can attach and start feeding quickly.

8. Perform a thorough tick check after returning.

• What to do: As soon as you get back to your vehicle or home, do a full-body check. Pay close attention to your hairline, behind your ears, under your arms, in your belly button, around your waist, and between your legs. Check your kids and pets too.
• What “good” looks like: You’ve systematically gone over your entire body and found no ticks, or you’ve found and removed any attached ticks correctly.
• Common mistake: Rushing this process or skipping it altogether. This is your last line of defense.

9. Shower soon after coming inside.

• What to do: Take a shower within a couple of hours of returning home.
• What “good” looks like: The shower helps wash off any unattached ticks. It’s also a good time for your thorough tick check.
• Common mistake: Putting off showering. Ticks can wander off clothes and onto furniture or beds if not dealt with promptly.

10. Launder treated clothing.

• What to do: Wash your permethrin-treated clothing. You can wash it in hot water.
• What “good” looks like: Your clothes are clean and ready for the next adventure. Permethrin treatment lasts for several washes.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to wash treated clothes or washing them with regular laundry without considering the permethrin treatment.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Skipping permethrin treatment	Increased risk of ticks attaching to clothing and crawling onto skin.	Treat clothing and gear before your trip.
Not using skin repellent	Exposed skin becomes an easy target for ticks.	Apply EPA-registered repellent to all exposed skin.
Wandering off-trail into tall grass	High probability of encountering ticks in their preferred habitat.	Stick to cleared trails and avoid dense vegetation.
Not tucking pants into socks	Ticks can easily crawl up your legs and under your clothing.	Tuck pant legs into socks or boots.
Rushing your post-hike tick check	Ticks can be missed, leading to potential bites and disease transmission.	Perform a thorough, systematic check of your entire body.
Not showering soon after returning	Unattached ticks can transfer from clothing to furniture or beds.	Shower within a couple of hours of coming inside.
Setting up camp in tick-heavy areas	Constant exposure to ticks around your living space.	Choose campsites in cleared or less vegetated areas.
Ignoring early warning signs	A tick might attach and feed unnoticed, increasing disease risk.	Be vigilant; do quick checks during breaks.
Not checking pets and children thoroughly	Ticks can hitch rides on family members and bring them into the home.	Make tick checks a family affair.
Relying on just one method	No single method is 100% foolproof; layered defense is best.	Combine treated clothing, skin repellent, trail smarts, and thorough checks.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you are going into known tick-prone areas (wooded, grassy, brushy), then use permethrin on your clothing because it kills ticks on contact.
• If you are hiking in shorts or short sleeves, then apply DEET or picaridin to exposed skin because it repels ticks.
• If you are walking through tall grass, then tuck your pants into your socks because it creates a barrier.
• If you are setting up camp, then choose a spot with less vegetation because it reduces immediate tick exposure.
• If you take a break to sit down, then do a quick visual check of your clothing because it can catch early hitchhikers.
• If you are returning from an outdoor activity, then perform a thorough tick check because it’s your last chance to find them before they attach.
• If you find an attached tick, then remove it carefully with fine-tipped tweezers because proper removal minimizes disease transmission.
• If you are unsure about tick-borne illness symptoms, then consult a healthcare professional because they can provide accurate medical advice.
• If you are traveling to a new region, then research the types of ticks and diseases common there because prevention strategies can vary.
• If your clothing is heavily infested with ticks after a trip, then consider a hot water wash and dry cycle because it can help kill any remaining ticks.
• If you plan to camp in areas with high tick populations, then consider treating your tent with permethrin because it provides an extra layer of protection.
• If you have pets that go outdoors, then check them for ticks regularly because they can bring ticks into your home.

If you’re hiking in shorts or short sleeves, applying a quality DEET insect repellent to your exposed skin is crucial for repelling ticks.

FAQ

How long can ticks live on me?

Ticks can stay attached for several days if not removed. The longer they are attached, the higher the risk of disease transmission.

What’s the best way to remove an attached tick?

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouth-parts to break off.

Does showering wash off ticks?

Showering can wash off unattached ticks. It won’t remove ticks that have already attached to your skin.

Can I use natural repellents instead of DEET or picaridin?

Some natural repellents can offer short-term protection, but they generally aren’t as effective or long-lasting as EPA-registered repellents like DEET or picaridin. Always check the EPA’s recommendations for efficacy.

While natural options exist, an EPA-registered DEET insect repellent offers proven efficacy and longer protection against ticks.

What should I do after removing a tick?

Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. You can also dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet, wrapping it tightly in tape, or placing it in alcohol.

How do I know if I got a tick-borne illness?

Symptoms vary but can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and sometimes a rash. If you develop symptoms after a tick bite, see a doctor.

Does permethrin wash off clothes?

Permethrin treatment is designed to last through multiple washes. Follow the product instructions for how long the protection is effective.

Are ticks more active at certain times of the year?

Tick activity generally increases in warmer months, typically from spring through fall, but this can vary by region and tick species.

What if I can’t get the whole tick out?

Don’t panic. If mouth-parts remain in the skin, try to remove them with clean tweezers. If you can’t, leave it alone and let the skin heal. The body will often expel the remaining parts.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Detailed identification of specific tick species.
• Comprehensive medical advice for tick-borne diseases.
• Specific campsite reservation policies or fees.
• In-depth gear reviews for insect repellents.
• Local regulations for firearms or hunting.

Where to go next:

• Learn about tick species common in your region.
• Consult your doctor about tick-borne illness prevention and symptoms.
• Check the CDC website for the latest guidance on tick prevention.
• Review Leave No Trace principles for responsible outdoor recreation.