Mosquitoes and ticks are an additional concern for hikers. There may be too many to little that we may encounter at each hike but the main thing is we don't want these critters to be biting us even just once.
Here are some of our tips that can help keep us hikers safe from ticks and mosquito bites!
HOW TO AVOID BEING BIT BY A MOSQUITO WHILE HIKING
There's more to avoiding mosquito bites when hiking than just dousing oneself with repellant at the outset. Here are some of our tried-and-tested mosquito-repelling strategies!
Apply Sunscreen
It is always a good idea to apply sunscreen whenever we go out there and explore the outdoors. But it's wise to use sunscreen first before applying any insect repellant. By doing this, the sunscreen and insect repellent both work to their fullest potential.
Put On Insect Repellant
We ourselves prefer the active component Picaridin over DEET when choosing a repellent for the reason that our skin mostly gets irritated with DEET.
Also, be sure to cover your face, front and back of neck, hands, wrists, feet, and ankles while applying insect repellent.
Apply Permethrin On Your Clothes
Spray Permethrin on your clothes before heading out on a hike. In addition to deterring mosquitoes, this spray also kills them. Also, this treatment lasts for about five to six washing cycles so you don't have to worry about reapplying them to your clothes over and over again.
To properly treat your clothing with permethrin, hang it outside or in a place with good ventilation. Spray the garment liberally, turning it over to ensure that all sides are covered. Make sure that you thoroughly spray the neckline, ankles, and cuffs for these will be the areas you'll be exposing most of your skin. Let your clothes sit for a while to hang & dry.
Wear Long Sleeved shirts & Breathable, Light-weight Slacks To Stay Covered
To reduce skin exposure, we suggest wearing a lightweight long sleeve shirt and wearing lightweight ankle-length leggings or pants. Our goal here is to not give mosquitoes any area that they can latch on and bite.
Dress In Bright Colors
If at all possible, choose neutral or light-colored clothing since dark or vivid colors make you more noticeable to mosquitoes. Although the color of your clothing won't guarantee that you won't get bitten, what it can do is it will make it much more difficult for mosquitoes to notice you.
Avoid Going Outside At Dusk & Dark
This one is definitely very difficult to follow. The route is at its most picturesque and serene around dusk, early morning and late afternoon. But if you truly want to keep away from mosquitoes during these periods, we suggest remaining inside, in a tent, or covering your arms and legs.
TICKS PREVENTION WHILE HIKING
Ticks are sly tiny critters that can bite you hard if they have the chance! Here are some tips for avoiding ticks while hiking and camping. Better not catch that Lyme disease.
Apply Permethrin On Your Clothes
Similar to how permethrin acts to mosquitoes, ticks are also killed by permethrin spray. Permethrin smells like nothing at all and has little to no effect on our skin. Still, five to six washes are covered by the spray before another application is necessary.
Cover & Don't Expose Your Feet & Ankles
If you're in an area where ticks are known to be abundant, avoid tempting them by leaving your feet, ankles, or legs exposed. Try putting the end of your pants inside your socks by tucking it in. This will give you better protection against them.
Ticks Should Be Checked On Both You & Your Pet
Okay, let's be serious. Ticks are drawn to warm, wet parts of your body. The armpits, the area behind the knees, the scalp, and—well, you get the point. They can migrate anywhere on your body once they latch on to you. If you've been exposed to ticks, examine your entire body as soon as you enter the house. Remember that pets are equally or even more vulnerable to tick infestation than you are. If you happen to bring your fur buddies on the trip, be sure to thoroughly check on them. You might not notice but they may bring home some unwelcome guests.
To Safely Remove A Tick, Always Carry A Tick Remover
The majority of hikers will at some point in their lives discover a tick on them or on their pets. It's more difficult than simply removing them from your body. In a sense, ticks are physically tied to you. It's a good idea to always have something handy to securely remove ticks without causing them to split open under your skin. A lot of hikers have tweezers with them, which are effective but run the danger of ripping off the tick's head and injecting its potentially contagious secretions into you.
The right tool is tick tweezers that are specifically designed to safely remove ticks without popping them. They’re usually under 5 dollars and you can easily find a bunch of them in stores. So be sure to at least get one. You’ll never know when you’ll need them.
