Tick Safety - How To Avoid Ticks While Hiking

[@lysan1445]

Almost 50 years ago, a cousin of mine got bitten by a tick. He was sixteen, very bright, best in class, and wanted to be an engineer. We didn't know much about ticks then, and my uncle and aunt took him on a trip to Spain. He got a high fever, and they went to the hospital when they returned. He was diagnosed with encephalitis. After he recovered, he had a severe learning disability. The only work he could do was at a centre for disabled people. All his plans had gone to dust. I am still sad when I think of it. There are vaccinations now against tick-induced encephalitis. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, I would recommend it. Also, be aware that there are tick species active in cold climates. It's not just a spring and summer problem.

[@lisajones8730]

Thank you !!! It took them 12 years to diagnose my Lyme disease and now it's too late to kill it and after thousands and thousands of dollars, I still suffer symptoms, daily. Mostly Lyme paralysis in my legs. If you care about your health, you must take ticks seriously!!

[@GeorgeOrwell-yz6zx]

I am so sorry to hear about your health problem. Best wishes for better health

[@natehikes]

Ticks are one of the biggest dangers to hiking and backpacking as far as I'm concerned. Little package but big impact.

[@zbutler111]

I appreciate your willingness to share your experiences and most importantly your mistakes. It's always better to learn from someone else's mistake than your own.

[@kbar193-9]

I'm from Montana and I can tell you that permethrine is your best defense against ticks and the diseases they carry. And its safe to use if you follow the directions. Use it on your boots, pants, shirt, backpack, and tent. Just make sure the items are completely dry before you put them on.

[@maggievenables9472]

When I thru hike, I always carry a small mirror. This way, I can see the back of my legs, my back, and other parts no need to mention. Plus bonus signaling device.

[@bigzoo55]

I’ve had Lyme disease - or one of its variants - three times now. Haven’t had it in years since I started spraying Permethrin on my clothes and gear. Stuff works!

[@Jcs1aughter]

Michigander here. I've spent thousands of hours in the woods and this year was the first I've ever had a tick actually latch on. It was hours after I got home from a park and I felt it. Lucky we got it out withing a couple minutes and I didn't get sick. But just goes to show to check yourself if you've been any where they could possibly be.

[@umaiar]

A couple other thoughts: Tuck your shirt into your pants too, not just pants into socks. Your phone camera is a useful tool for self-inspection of those, uh, more sensitive areas. Lots of people are going to recommend permethrin, and I do too. Read the packaging, it has a limited duration (6 weeks or 6 washes per Sawyer's product). I personally use it in a container of some sort (bucket, bag, whatever) since a lot of our synthetic clothes repel liquids. I wasted so much of it on the ground for that first application to my Columbia PFG pants, it just didn't want to soak in🤦‍♂️

[@heidih2887]

Thanks for sharing! Please keep us updated on your ongoing recovery process. Here in the Pacific Northwest ticks have been becoming a bigger problem the past several years. Residential/city sidewalks have even become problem areas some years, especially when tallish grasses, bushes, and other landscaping (or unkempt areas) is present. Like others have said, the specially treated clothing and hats (in light colors) are certainly worth considering, along with insect repellents containing Picaridin 20%, which is safe for direct skin contact. (recommended to me by a couple local outdoors/nature photographers that were often in heavily tick-infested areas for significant amounts of time)

[@DwightManly]

Have you heard of tic freeze treatments. In Australia we use a product that you spray the tic to instantly kill it avoiding agitating the insect. Wart freeze also works very well. Great for the tiny ones you cant grip.

[@kat.p.b.5193]

as with any break in skin: wash affected area as soon as possible. tick bites, small cuts, even rabies- transmission of infection can be diminished by cleansing injured area immediately; if i do not have soap with me i usually have alcohol swabs. wash right after imbedded tick is removed with soap and water at minimum... it may help in the long run

[@LizClark-hp1rg]

Thank you Eric! Ticks are so much more dangerous than people realize. If you get a tick bite, seek medical help. With Lyme disease you don't necessarily get any symptoms for months or even years afterwards. My daughter got bitten at some point (we never found a tick or a bite) but over 2 weeks went from dancing 20 hours a week to having to use a walker. Unfortunately we live in Ontario, Canada & doctors here aren't familiar with Lyme's & dismissed our concerns about Lyme disease. After a year and a half, we finally found a neurologist willing to test her& put her on antibiotics. It took 7 months but she recovered. However, she's been left with sporadic neurological problems such that she's never been able to finish high school. PLEASE people be vigilant & be adamant in seeking medical care & advocating for yourself. Tick born diseases are no joke!

[@roseturnley1970]

I think that a fat soluble form of Vitamin B1 called Benfotaimine could help restore her nerves.

[@LizClark-hp1rg]

@@roseturnley1970 Thx

[@91mustang347]

Maine is notoriously known for having loads of ticks and I was recommended the best thing I have found for them which is Permethrin. Bugs wont come anywhere near you and there's a type for boots and clothes then also a special type for tents and back packs. The guy who recommended it to me worked in the Portland Maine REI and he was also former military. I highly recommend it to you as well. Works great in the everglades also.

[@nicholassincinito623]

I find that a tweezer doesn't work as well as a Tick Key. It a tool that has a slotted hole that goes around and then under the tick. It works by putting a little bit of pressure under the tick and when they release to get a better bite they pop off easy. We have a tick issue here and we also use Permeyhrin for Sawer for our gear and close, it works great. Thanks sharing hope you get better.

[@royalbrooks7163]

I spray Permethrin by ranger ready on all my gear ( ground sheet, clothing, tent, shoes, socks ) and use a high percentage deet also since I live in a area that can have the ground look like its moving because of the ticks.

[@GenX_outdoors]

I’ve had two ticks this year. Now. I use Sawyer products on my gear, clothes and their lotion on my skin. Good stuff! Go Sawyer!

[@markcummings6856]

Ticks are no joke. Very common here in New York and the Northeast in general. Tick checks often is a must. Prevention practices that others have mentioned recommended. Hope you totally recover.

[@paulhowardvideos]

This was very helpful and informative. And congrats on the wedding!

[@galinswigart]

Permethrin is your best friend if you spend time outdoors in warm weather. I don’t go into the woods without spraying my gear and clothing down. I spend a lot of time Turkey hunting in the Spring here in Pennsylvania and I used to come home with no joke, dozens of ticks on me every day. I am so lucky to have avoided tick borne illness all those years but I took no precautions. Now, I rarely find one on me because of the one simple step of spraying my clothing. It lasts a long time on clothing and is relatively safe compared to DEET and other insect repellent chemicals.

[@sandralutz-rodriguez2864]

so sorry that happened to you Eric! Here in the PacNw we got them quite a bit. I have a pretty healthy respect and spay my clothes, exposed skin and backpack/gear pre hike. Post hike inspection is key. I hope you fully recovered??!!

[@tlgrimmy]

Thanks for sharing and sorry for the scare! One thing I thought I'd put down here for anyone curious is that a lot of those treated clothes are just treated with Permethrin. I bought a bottle of the stuff and sprayed it all over my pack, pants, shirt, socks, shoes, hat, etc. the night before my trip into a tick-infested area. I guess it can remain effective after it dries on the clothes after multiple washes as well. I never found a tick on me or my pack throughout the trip despite seeing quite a few while out there. I probably won't put that stuff on all of the time, but it was so effective that I'll definitely do so anytime I'm out in areas with high numbers of ticks. Doesn't hurt your gear at all like DEET and it's a loss less offensive to the senses than DEET too. I couldn't smell it on my clothes or gear at all after it dried.

[@corvurus]

Just be mindful not to spray Permethrin on clothes while you wearing them and allow sufficient time for it to dry before bringing treated items into your home. As Permethrin can be dangerous to cats & small children. It's completely safe once it has dried.

[@JesusTheCity]

Thats actually wild because along with bears ticks are something ppl who go outdoors a lot should know to look out for. But i grew up on the east coast so maybe thats why its more obvious? Hope u have a speedy recovery

[@learnphoto]

Important info and good presentation. Thank You. Don't forget to check your pets. Once found 5 ticks on the dog after a (off-leash) walk . Noticed one on the fur and got the others on closer inspection. fyi

[@elevatelife-nk7896]

Make sure you do an extra long treatment with the antibiotics- sometimes people switch up with multiple types of antibiotics and run it for several weeks or longer. That crap is hard to kill. Sorry to hear all you’ve had to deal with. Good luck getting better!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. Stay safe out there. 😊

[@stevewright2241]

I got Lyme disease in Maine while camping. I never had any illness except I got a big bullseye shaped rash around the bite mark that showed up about a week after the bite. I was put on antibiotics for 30 days.

[@dezvyzelman9777]

I was told by someone from Peru that a combination of Camu Camu (high levels of Vit C and antioxidants) and Cat's Claw ( Uncaria Tormentosa) work well against Lyme's disease

[@jon27d]

I live in Michigan so ticks are just a fact of life when you're out in the woods. I've even had them drop out of trees and land on me. The place where I've run into them the most, surprisingly, is when I'm butchering a deer that I've harvested that year. Last year I counted dozens and dozens on the two deer that I took.

[@lincolnstone1788]

As someone with Alpha Gal Syndrome, watch out for Lone Star Ticks!! If you start having anaphylactic symptoms after a tick bite I recommend getting tested for AGS. I didn’t get tested for a few months after my bite and almost died from a few too many steaks

[@zachmarshall7921]

Can you slowly train your body to digest meat again or is it gone for good?

[@lincolnstone1788]

@@zachmarshall7921 Trying to acclimate to red meat could actually prolong how long I have AGS. Since it’s newly discovered there’s not a definite answer on whether or not I’m normal again. Could be 1 year or it could be 10

[@wanderworm]

Great topic to discuss. Ticks are every where now with climate change extending their range and warmer winters not killing them off. I’ve “enjoyed” Lyme Disease twice now and know that checking one’s body is not always good enough so I think that it’s so important to know the signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases. I keep a tick key in my first aid kit and on my key chain so one is always with me. A KZbinr named “Paul the Backpacker” also discussed Lyme and in his case he got Bell’s Palsey making half his face paralyzed. It’s not a disease to mess with. I totally understand you attributing your symptoms to a flu or general malaise because the disease is so insidious and minces other things. Headache, body aches, fever, lethargy are key symptoms.

[@terryt2910]

Hey, that sounds scary! I hope you heal quickly and fully. And thanks for the info. That said, this video, in my opinion, would have been a lot better if you had not repeated yourself so many times, had been more thorough about repellents (you missed some really good ones for ticks), and you hadn't gone on so long. I had a hard time keeping focused for the duration of this video, and I'm sure you lost a few listeners who couldn't keep listening as it went on and on. I know you're probably still feeling crappy, but I just thought you should know. I hope you take this with idea it was intended, to be helpful.🎉

[@deybydey99]

I got bit by a tick in Virginia on September 9. Tested positive for alpha gal. Got on doxycycline for 10 days , Still sick. Feels like the flu.Then got strep, another round of antibiotics. Then it attached my knees. Knees swelled up to the size of grapefruits and locked up,unable to walk. Went to ER where they drew 70cc of fluid from both knees. I am now having to use a walker. I am 67 and was perfectly healthy until tick bite. Still struggling. Oh yeah I have eye floaters as well

[@jyc313]

Holy hell I hope u recover fully. How’s it going now?

[@rangerdoc1029]

@@jyc313 you don't recover from Alpha-Gal. It's an allergy you develop & have for life

[@GarryCollins-ec8yo]

My grandmother was young when she got Rocky Mountain tick fever. Fortunately they had this relatively new medicine called penicillin. I treat my clothes, pack and tent with permethrin every 3 months and use picaridin on my body. 1 tick in 100+ backpacking trips so I’m sold on my methods. I’ve seen what deet does to plastics and other petroleum based products so I avoid it.

[@AllThingsConsidered333]

Using a lint roller on clothes and hair after hiking is a great way to get tiny ticks off.. I went backpacking last weekend.. got home Sunday, took a good shower with lots of soap & scrubbing, and yesterday morning pulled a tiny tick out of my leg. I saved it for testing but that is expensive for the comprehensive test and since I’m already on 4 abx for borellia, babesia & bartonella, I’ll just wait as I don’t suspect I’ll have a problem this time around.. But I SCRUBBED my body and that damn thing was probably already attached and I didn’t see it during the initial tick check on Sunday afternoon… it is sooo tiny, even with being full of my blood so it was pretty much invisible before it started feeding…

[@chasecaleb]

Good news: that size tick is a nymph (aka seed) tick, which is so young that it hasn't had any other blood meals before you and therefore doesn't transmit disease! Doesn't mean their bite is fun but at least it's a lot less dangerous.

[@brookeb7994]

Yikes!!

[@davidrosenberg5453]

Thanks for sharing Eric

[@Canadaman4403]

Links for places to purchase the permethrin than the Ben’s Both for Canada and the US would’ve been so helpful

[@fortesting5147]

I'm from the north east/Canada and it's one of the worst regions with ticks, I'm not scared of bears or cougars but ticks they do scare me. It's important to do a tick check and wear light colored clothes but also maybe look and find specialists/doctors as a lot of general doctors don't really know much about it in dept... for the north-east part of the US Dr. Maureen McShane who practices in Plattsburgh NY is probably the leading expert in ticks so she's a good person to contact.

[@amalielaursen1280]

Thanks for sharring. I also got bit by a tick this year. Mine was a sweedish tick (i Come from denmark, so we hike alot in sweeden). I had some of your symptoms too. I got medicine fast but expirienced not to be able to feel My arm and leg as I used to in a month. I ended up on a hospital to. I got scared, My body did not work as it used to, but I'm fine now. I Hope you will soon get all well too. (The sweedish ticks can carry lyme disease, but also tick born encephalitis(tbe). There is no cure against tbe, but I have learned that There is a vaccine to get against the tbe now, and I have prioritized for me and My son to get it. We are 95% covered through that one now and Will end up being 98% protected, so now I can relaxe a bit more when hiking and bringing My kid with me hiking again.)

[@Canadaman4403]

Would you be kind enough to include a link to read up on this product and see if it is available in Canada I would appreciate that

[@TylerAndToast]

The worst is taking a seat only for you to immediately be covered in dozens and dozens of seed ticks. Good luck finding all of those

[@dracphelan]

When I was 13, I was hospitalized for an infectedtick bite. They are nothing to mess around with.

[@jcblum1507]

thanks take care

[@mobius9818]

What do you think about the little tick remover tools...very lightweight and a good add to first aid kit imo...? And once tick removed, some triple antibiotic and/or alcohol wipes, to immediately treat area? Just some thoughts....

[@jon27d]

The little tick remover tools are great although I don't know if they're any more useful than a decent pair of tweezers. As far as topical antibiotics go, think of them as being best for prevention in most cases. The ones available over the counter are not targeted enough to be effective against the bacteria that ticks carry. If you suspect exposure, you need to have the appropriate systemic (i.e. oral) antibiotics prescribed

[@mobius9818]

very helpful input, to be sure, for me and hopefully others....! Many thanks!!!@@jon27d

[@traaaaan]

Use Permethrin spray on your equipment and clothing. Spray and let sit outside for 24 hrs

[@bigfoot-g4i]

we have ticks in the uk but not half as bad as the us.ive seen them on my dog after a long hike on the moors but ive never had them on my clothes or body just the dog.am i safe to say these are dog ticks and deer ticks.

[@chriscook3120]

Permethrin. Treat your clothes and gear lasts a season even with washing.

[@123HIP]

Just thinking of the top of my head here. but what if you are alone on a multi day hike it would be dam hard to get to a doctor or chemist if you took bad. I can only think off having antibiotics with you before you start the hike and of course having spray.

[@victim21]

Correction: It's not Lyme that causes the red meat allergy, it's alpha-gal from the lone star ticks.

[@Eedg769]

I live in a tick heavy area and I’ve never found a single one on me, despite rigorous checking. Maybe I’m just lucky, but I don’t understand how you pick them up. Are people bushwhacking? Are they rolling around in the grass? Some people seem to pick them up doing very innocuous things but so far so good for me. I don’t wear shorts and I sprayed my pack with permethrin (because I sometimes put it down)

[@cassimosher]

Maybe you don't smell delicious to ticks. 😂 Lucky!

[@vzmichael]

My dog was afflicted by what the Vet diagnosed as "Tick Paralysis". After just 24 hours overnight while camping he started behaving almost drunk. (Swaying back and forth and loosing his footing. Disoriented acting). Fortunately we hiked out and made it to the Vet just in time that day. Steroids and antibiotics and he was fine but the toxin apparently acted in less than 24 hours. The vet said she had the same thing happened to her dog overnight while camping. Tick paralysis in dogs often results in death from respiratory paralysis. On top of that those little bastards love me. I have been bitten an inordinate number of times.. O+ blood type may be a factor Im guessing but I can pick one up and be bitten on a simple dog walk (with no apparent apparent walks through the grass.). They dont wait to get to my "moist" parts they dig right out in on my lower legs. BASTARDS!!! HATE ticks!

[@sitharaweerathunga9733]

Very usefully vlog from sri lanka 🇱🇰

[@jerehxh112]

On 2 of my hikes I've been bit more than 10 times by them, I feel itchy thinking about it… Never got sick tho!

[@malenve6vid]

Wow, that really sucks. Treated clothing helps as well as spray. In Canada it is hard to get Permethrin sprays or treated clothing. So I use horse fly spray on my clothing, it works great for ticks.

[@GabagoolFool]

Why is it hard to get there ?

[@jyc313]

It’s funny that most people are scared of encountering a bear or a cougar. I’m more nervous about a tick I missed before too late. While a bear or cougar do exist, the encounters are rare, and dangerous encounters even rarer. But ticks - in some parts of where I live, u can pick up ticks after a mere 2 min walk through the trails.

[@bucky716]

Long pants? Tall socks? Deet? Geez. Happy you're alright and going to question how you didn't mention treating gear with permethrin like others have recommended. I hike almost every weekend in the northeast where ticks are everywhere and, knock on wood, only came across one I think once as I walked through a giant field. In the early spring and then mid summer I spray all my gear and clothes with permethrin. Do it outside away from cats as it's lethal before it dries. Spray socks, shoes, shorts, shirts, hammock, tent, quilts, tarp, backpacks, etc. Be aware of what's out there even if risks are minimal for whatever where we all live. And I said geez to deet because that stuff can quickly eat your gear if it leaks and that's costly.

[@Walkerxy]

Living and mainly camping in Ontario, I can’t fathom backcountry camping without pants on due to ticks

[@charleslynn3921]

Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent (24-Oz Trigger Spray) and Sawyer Products Controlled Release Insect Repellent (4-Oz Lotion) Bundle

[@neemancallender9092]

follow the instructions enclosed

[@Canadaman4403]

Where can I go buy the stuff I live in Canada is it possible you can include a link in the response

[@sIosha]

This does really need to be taken seriously. I got lyme but I was lucky. Within a few weeks, I developed a strange rash and went straight to the doctor. I was put on antibiotics and haven't thought about it again. I check for ticks religiously and stay away from tall grass as much as possible.

[@32Belownature]

Ya bruhhh Lyme disease ain't no joke. fucking sucks, just ask my joints and everything else at 30 and I've got the joints of a 50ish year old.

[@kathyls74]

We treat our tent, gear, dog, and clothes with Sawyers permethrin.

[@overwatchxrescue]

Definitely gotta be careful around those little buggers!

[@zachmarshall7921]

I get a prescription for amoxicillin once every few year and throw it in my first aid kit. Got one last week for a 2 week course. Gonna come in handy I’m sure. Great to have for a variety of infections

[@JanisOnTheFarmette]

I urge you to add doxycycline to your kit. Doxycycline is the drug of choice for most tickborne diseases including Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Erlichliosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. I was initially prescribed amoxicillin to treat the tick bite that resulted in my contracting Lyme disease - it didn’t help and only delayed the treatment I needed. Please don’t rely on Amoxicillin.

[@zachmarshall7921]

@@JanisOnTheFarmette ok man good to know, I’ll look into it. Any advice is always helpful

[@brettmanning4639]

if you take your dog on hikes, be sure to give them bravecto. pricey but 100% worth it when your dog comes out of the woods with 20+ ticks on them. also avoid black gear, much harder to inspect

[@garylindenmuth7468]

I treat all my clothes, tent sleeping bags shoes than spray deet keeps the ticks at bay,

[@Doris-y5v]

check the entire body, even your ears, head and neck,, and all camping things

[@d.m6614]

No, not slowly and firmly tug away, thats wrong. As how i understand it is the besst way to twist it, round and round gently in the same spot. That way it will release by itself, if you tug away, you can be pretty sure it will leave the front part in your skin.

[@xy3zprototype]

They dont like gasoline, spray a cloth into it or repelent and tie it just near the knees and tuck in pants in the socks, check youself before 10 hours passes. I think they also dont like lemon citrus

[@FireBlade9773]

9 minutes in, he finally gets to the point...

[@michaelstudelska5607]

Permethrin treated fabric kills a tick that comes in contact with it.

[@baykcd]

Y'all keep trying to trick us that he's still on the channel. That is dishonest.

[@xy3zprototype]

They also stuck on duck tape if you turn it around

[@DebCampos]

Also spraying your clothes with permethrine!

[@neemancallender9092]

Rampant in Scotland Must remove them with a correct tool Permethrin Spray Pants on the cuffs, pockets, and waist band and fly Shirts on the cuff, collar and openings In Scotland I wear short gaiters also soaked Footprint, and under the tent Bivi bags completely

[@jukkavv]

This is cool ... Two channels of Eric videos 😄👍🏻 I have gaiters and scarf with IR3535, some lemon & eufapythys spray, and ultrasound keyring against them. and in first aid: tweezwers and testing kit to see if it was dangerous tick and mega dose of vitamin-C. ❤

[@TylerAndToast]

Alpha Gal, lymes, and so so many bad things can affect you for years or a lifetime. Ticks suck. Theres so many in Missouri.

[@FireBlade9773]

The title and content are completely different

[@artp1735]

Peppermint oil backs them out

[@zmoore5555]

Hey BackpackingTV! Since Eric is no longer with you and has started his own channel, wouldn't be nice if you took his face off the circle logo of your channel? I understand that this vid may have been filmed prior to his departure, so I wont mention that, but it seems like a douche move to use his face on your logo. He's trying his best to get his own subs and this is just confusing to ppl. Keep it classy backpacking tv!

[@bdouglas]

Lemon oil is garbage for ticks. DEET is marginal. Always Permethrin for ticks.

[@TheMazkon]

Free tip, TBE vaccine.

[@kirkjamesss8879]

What rain jacket you are using? 🫡

[@cheesepizza392]

i found 3 under my ball sacks they had there feed luck really only 1 sack had been infected so that was removed /