Blacklegged Tick
Ticks can carry a number of unpleasant diseases including West Nile virus and Lyme disease and they are prevalent in many parts of America. Humans can come into contact with ticks in key habitat areas such as woodland edges and long grasses, and they can also cross into urban districts and rural properties lying close to wild land areas.
Insect Repellents
There is no 100% way to prevent tick bites, but there are many insect repellents available that have been designed to work against ticks. These can help to reduce the risks of getting bitten by these creatures. There are many different types of insect repellent available and these often contain potential harmful chemicals so should be used with caution. You should always check the manufacturer’s instructions before applying any insect repellent. Types of insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include:
- DEET – this is one of the most widely used insect repellents and can help to prevent tick bites. This chemical is used in a number of products such as sprays, liquids and lotions.
- Picaridin – this is also effective on ticks and many people prefer it to DEET because it has virtually no odour.
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus – this is a plant-based repellent which is not as effective as DEET and Picaridin but can give some protection against tick bites.
- Permethrin – this repellent is commonly applied to camping equipment, clothing and shoes to repel insects, and is not used directly on the skin.
How do Insect Repellents Work?
Ticks feed on the blood of mammals such as deer, rabbits and mice, and can also be attracted to warm blooded humans as well. Insects are attracted by certain chemical scents in our breath and sweat and insect repellents work to mask these scents. Some insect repellents also contain active insecticides to kill biting insects such as permethrin.
Using Insect Repellents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that anyone working or travelling on foot through high risk tick zones such as woodland edges and grasslands uses insect repellent to help prevent tick bites and also bites from other insects that carry diseases such as mosquitoes.
If you are going to be spending a long time outdoors then check the concentration of the active ingredient in the inset repellent product. The higher the concentration the longer the repellent will last. For example a product with 5% DEET will last around an hour after application, but a product with over 20% of DEET will remain effective for about 5 hours.
When you use strong chemicals such as insect repellents you do need to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not apply the product to cut or broken skin. You should also wash the insect repellent off with soap and water when you return home. You should never use products containing DEET on children younger than 2 months old. Always store insect repellent out of direct sunlight and away from the reach of young children.