Pest Control for Ticks While Camping
As the season transitions from summer to fall, the time of year makes for prime camping weather. It’s the perfect time to enjoy cooler temperatures, scenic views, and cozy campfires without the summer crowd.
Even though temperatures have dropped and seasonal tourists have packed up, some pests, like ticks, remain. In fact, fall is a season of higher activity for ticks, as the little blood suckers prepare to survive the upcoming winter.
Here are our best tips and tricks for pest control for ticks when you’re camping, so the ticks don’t suck all the fun out of your trip.
Pack Your Clothes Accordingly
To reduce tick bites, it’s important to pack accordingly. Be sure to include long shirts, pants, and socks covering the ankles. Packing light-colored clothing like tan, white, and gray is a helpful trick. These colors can help a tick stand out if one clings to you.
Pest Control for Ticks: Bug Spray Edition
One of the best tips for pest control for ticks is to bring a trustworthy bug spray. Repellents can come in sprays, wipes, creams, and other application methods. We recommend choosing from one of these products:
- DEET: the most commonly found ingredient in bug repellents, which is effective for up to 5 hours.
- Lemon and Eucalyptus Oil: an all-natural essential oil product proven to deter ticks, with a similar effectiveness to DEET but shorter longevity.
- Picaridin: a synthetic product that mimics a compound in black pepper plants, is just as effective as DEET, and has a better scent.
Tick Traps To Avoid
There are a few things to avoid when you’re camping, to name a few:
- Stay on the trail. Traveling off-trail can lead you to areas where ticks may be more active (tall grass and unkept spaces)
- Never wear artificial scents. Avoid perfume, body sprays, scented lotions, and hair spray.
- Shower frequently. While it can be difficult when outdoors, showering as soon as possible after being bitten by a tick can reduce your chance of contracting a disease.
For more advice on preventing tick bites, check out our blog post from August: How to Check for Ticks on Yourself: Easy Tick-Free Tips.
Ticks are Closer to Home Than You Think
At Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Inc., we know that avoiding ticks can be extra tricky when camping deep in the woods, but they also lurk in your backyard—especially during this time of year, here in Alabama. Professional pest control for ticks matters, and we offer various services for every yard and outdoor space. After all, ticks are closer to home than you might think!
Contact us online or call today at (205) 663-4200!