Whenever the thought of camping comes into mind, we think of high mountains, clean streams, starry nights, and many more pleasant visuals.
However, ticks or how to avoid ticks when camping is not something that we often think of. Keeping in mind that you have clicked on this article means you have already thought of taking necessary precautions to avoid ticks on your camp.
Before we dive into how you can do that, it is very important to know what ticks are and how harmful they can be.
The Different Types Of Ticks
Ticks are basically small bloodsucking insects that belong to the order Acarina. These are usually found in patches of tall grass or on other animals as well. There are three types of ticks that you must be aware of during camping and they are.
Blacklegged Tick
These are also known as deer ticks because they stay on deerskin most of the time. Ticks like these are known to pass Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, a form of Relapsing Fever, and Powassan virus disease
Lone Star Tick
They are found mostly in the Southern part of the United States and are known for transmitting Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Heartland Virus Disease, Bourbon Virus Disease, and Southern tick-associated Rash Illness.
Dog Tick
This type is the most common one and also the most troublesome as well. If you will be carrying your dog along make sure to be extra careful with them. Dog ticks transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
How Dangerous Are Ticks?
We never want to scare campers out, defining the dangers of it and all. But when it comes to ticks, it is our moral duty to make you aware of it.
One of the most dangerous effects of tick bites is getting Lyme disease. Lyme borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by the Borrelia bacterium which is spread by ticks.
The most common sign of infection is an expanding red rash, known as erythema migrans, that appears at the site of the tick bite about a week after it occurred. So you can already understand how harmful these little things are.
HOW TO AVOID TICKS WHEN CAMPING
As dangerous as they might seem to be, it is not like you cannot avoid them or anything, you surely can. By taking precautions and keeping a few things in mind you surely can avoid ticks. Here’s what you can do
Check your campsite
Whether or not you will encounter ticks on your camping is entirely based on the location. As these little monsters are surrounded everywhere, it is best to check on the campsite before you visit. If it is a private one, the ones that they rent out then inform them to clean the site of any ticks.
Also, try to find a site where there is a shower because you will never be able to understand whether or not these ticks are inside your clothes or not.
Carry A Tick Kit
There are a few safety instruments that you must keep at your disposal to help you out with ticks. Consider it as a sort of tick kit. This should include pointed tweezers, a roll of duct tape and/or a lint roller, and some rubbing alcohol and/or antiseptic ointment.
Keep out of grass
One of the most common places where ticks can be found is in long grass fields. Make sure you aren’t camping in such locations and always look for plain trails.
Wear Proper Clothing
Fashion should not be your primary concern when you are going camping. And especially when you are looking to stay protected from ticks. Try to wear long-sleeve shirts that cover your entire body and also wear full cargo pants.
Make sure that not a single part of your skin is exposed or else ticks will devour you up. There are different types of clothing found online which have an anti-tick chemical on them, you can check them out as well.
A pro tip would be to tuck your pants inside your socks. This way your pants will stay in place without exposing your skin.
Make sure to wear clothes on which you can spot the ticks easily because they are the kings of camouflage
Using The Chemical Arsenal
There is nothing to freak out about here. We aren’t throwing any chemical bombs or anything. You can use a chemical called Permethrin.
This is a tick repellent that will kill ticks on immediate contact. As we mentioned before, you can find clothes with Permethrin as well.
As the chemical is odorless, it won’t stink your nose as well. The chemical can be bought separately for use as well. However, make sure not to apply it directly to your skin. instead, use a repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide). It is best to contact a professional healthcare expert before using it.
Keep Your Dog In Check
As we mentioned before, dog ticks are one of the most common ones out there and they will attract your dog or other pets furiously. Since your dog is not aware to take precautions, it is your duty to make sure that your dog is safe.
Put them in long clothes like yourself and make sure that they are not running around naked in long grass fields.
Take Showers Often
The reason why we were told to pick a place where there is a shower facility is that the more times you shower, the more aware you will be and keep ticks out of your body.
Bring Home Memories, Not Ticks
So you have completed your camping trip without the hassle of any tick bites or anything. However, that is not the end of it. Because there is still the risk of bringing a few of them home. Make sure to clean your clothes properly before you come home and try to heat them as well to prevent any ticks from staying inside.
I Got Bit By A-Tick, Now What?
Ok, so now the unavoidable has happened, you have come in contact with ticks, and it’s hurting terribly. Well, first of all, you need to calm down because there is nothing to worry about. Here is what you should do next.
Take A Photo
Unless and until you have medical expertise available, it is best to take a photo of the part of your body where ticks have a bit for future documentation so that you can show it to a doctor later.
Use the Kit
Remember, we told you to carry a kit along with you? Here is where it will help you out. Do not take the tick out with your fingers, instead use tweezers. Hold the tweezers tightly so that you get them out fully. Be steady and don’t move around. Once you have taken it out, dispose of it safely
Sanitize The Part Well
Take your soap and wash the region completely and later apply antiseptic cream.
If you are in bad luck then you might feel bad or come across a mild fever or rash within a few days of the contact. If that is the case, then go to a doctor immediately.
Don’t Let It Ruin Your Camping
As small as ticks are in size, there is no denying that they can surely cause a lot of trouble in camping.
However, if you are following all the necessary precautions that we talked about in this article then you will surely know how to avoid ticks when camping. And do not think of it as the end of the world, beating ticks are very easy and it won’t hamper your camping trip whatsoever.
