It’s not our favourite side of hiking, that’s for sure, but sadly ticks are something we need to be aware of. Fun fact, they’re not insects, but actually related to spiders and their scientific name is Ixodida, which comes from the Greek, for sticky or mistletoe. Although having thoughts of kissing and ticks together are just wrong. Fun fact over. The real fact is that we need to learn how to prevent ticks when hiking, and to never turn a blind eye to them.
How do we get ticks?
As parasites, ticks survive by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. In hiking terrain, these are usually deer, sheep and dogs. It’s a myth that they jump or fly through the air onto humans. The sticky Greek name comes from the fact that they cling onto things, and so hikers pick them up when they brush past vegetation where ticks like to hang out, such as woodland, heathland and long grass.
Are ticks harmful?
The majority of ticks are harmless and don’t carry disease. They can, however, carry infections including Lyme disease and, very rarely, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). So, a bit like drivers learn safety codes around the world, hikers should brush up on their tick codes too. And make sure that ticks don’t brush off on you instead.
How do you recognise a tick?
If your eyesight is compromised, then only with your glasses on, as they are very small, ranging between 1mm and 1cm. The bloodier the bigger (definitely not a fun fact). So it’s important to check your body thoroughly for ticks after hiking. Taking a shower as soon as you get back is a good plan, and then double check areas like ankles, wrists, underarms, behind the knees and ears, as well as your hairline and scalp. If you’re really together you’ll do that as soon as you finish your hike, but it isn’t always practical.
Annoyingly, as women squat to have a wild wee, they are at a higher risk of getting ticks or tick bites in the genital, groin or thigh areas. So, if you are a woman travelling solo, you may not think to pack a hand mirror for applying lipstick on the trail, but it can be tricky to have one in your luggage so that you can spot ticks on parts of your body you can’t otherwise see yourself, when back at the hotel.
How to keep ticks away
- A spray a day should keep the ticks away, using an insect repellent on socks and clothing before you head off.
- Keep to managed trails and avoid long grassy areas or dense foliage, when possible.
- If you are in areas where ticks thrive, keep your skin covered with long sleeves, long trousers, tucked into socks or wear gaiters.
- Wear boots not trekking sandals.
- It’s easier to spot ticks if you’re wearing light clothing. Give your hiking clothes a good shake out in the shower when you get back, if you are planning on wearing them the next day. Waistbands are sometimes overlooked.
- Wear a protective hat when hiking in tick-prone areas, even when it’s not sunny.
- Check your body after hiking, in all those hidden crevices.
How to remove a tick
We won’t embed a video, because the thought of anything being embedded after reading this article will make your skin crawl. But there are some pretty graphic videos out there where you can see a tick being teased out of the skin.
First and foremost, don’t panic. Our top tip is to have a tick remover in your hiking bag at all times, which come as a small metal or plastic implement, or there are also tick removal cards, which are handy to keep in your wallet. This Lifesystems one has a magnifying glass and two sizes of removal tools. Then make sure you get as close to the skin as possible, and very gently pull upwards, without twisting, so that you don’t break the tick. Then clean with an antiseptic wipe or alcohol-based sanitiser.
When is the worst time for ticks?
In general, ticks are particularly active between March and October in the Northern Hemisphere. However, as with everything else in nature, the climate crisis is changing the tick clock. Things are warming up out there and the blighters are living for longer. The good thing is that in winter, we generally wear more clothes, so we’re better protected. But this is not always the case on our winter sun walking holidays, for example.
Are there warning signs in tick-infested areas?
Yes in some parts of the world, when there is a serious infestation, there may be warning signs. But in general, when hiking, it’s always good to check wherever you are.
And what are the warning signs of illness caused by ticks?
A pink or red rash around the tick bite is the first sign, as well as a fever, or flu-like symptoms. If in doubt, seek medical help immediately.
Which countries have the most ticks?
There are ticks on every continent and, with the climate crisis, they are spreading. And yet, for such a common bug, it’s surprising how people still ignore the possibility of being at-ticked. And, in case you haven’t got the ick about ticks yet, there are approximately 850 species of ticks around the world. For more details per country, see the CDC.
Are ticks all bad?
Like everything in nature, ticks play their part in the ecosystem and, unlike hikers, birds, insects and small mammals will happily tuck into a tick. And if the tick has managed to suck nutrients from a larger mammal, and then transfer it to the smaller one as part of its feast, even better. Which means that no, they’re definitely not all bad.
For more blogs around health and safety while hiking, you may appreciate the following tips for your trails: How to deal with midges in Scotland, How to swim responsibly on your travels and Hiking safety tips for mountain landscapes.
