This year, a perfect storm is brewing for tick populations across the country. Tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome, are on the rise, and tick bites are already causing ER visits to surge to a ten-year high (CDC, 2026). In a battle against bloodsucking, disease-ridden bugs, how are we supposed to fully enjoy the outdoors while also protecting those most important to us? 

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Let’s review some behaviors and protection methods proven to keep ticks at bay - click below where you’re interested in learning more, or scroll on for the full story.

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Avoid prime tick habitat

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While behaviors and the diseases they may carry may vary based on the specific species of tick present in your neck of the woods, the following knowledge about their favorite places to hang out may save you from a couple of unwanted hitchhikers this season.

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Ticks can’t fly or jump (thank goodness!), but they can detect animals by their breath and body odors, body heat, moisture, vibrations, and even sense shadows of potential hosts that walk by. To hunt, they perch at the tops of tall grasses, leaves, and brush in a “questing” position with back legs secured and front legs stretching out to grab onto the next suitable host.

Staying on trail and avoiding these “questing” areas - tall grass, brush, or leaf litter - is an effective method of keeping them where they belong - off of you. 

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If you have a yard, keeping the grass short or adding a mulch or wood chip barrier can also be a helpful way to manage tick habitat close to home. 

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Tick check! 

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Ticks may be sneaky, but in order to feed they have to find your skin first. Cover as much skin as possible by wearing long sleeves and pants, and tie up long hair. Tuck pants into socks and shirts into waistbands to keep them on the outside of clothing where they’re easier to spot and remove. 

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Adopt the habit of conducting short tick checks during breaks outside. Once home, a hot shower is a great opportunity for a thorough check and wash off any ticks that are not yet attached. A lint roller or tape can also be used to remove any remaining ticks from clothes or skin.

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Here are some places ticks especially like to hide - use a flashlight for best visibility.

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• Head - behind ears, hairline, scalp
• Upper body - armpits, waistband area, and belly button
• Lower body - behind knees, between toes

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For a topical repellent, trust Picaridin

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While long layers are helpful, it’s not always realistic to cover up every inch of exposed skin when heading outside. For those days, a reliable topical repellent with all-day protection can make all the difference. 

‍Sawyer’s 20% Picaridin formula provides all-day protection and is gentle enough for use on kids 6 months and older as well as pregnant people. Available as a lotion and a spray, Picaridin offers a fragrance-free option that's a favorite among those who may be sensitive to traditional insect repellents such as DEET. Not only does it repel ticks, but it also keeps biting flies, mosquitoes, and over 55 other kinds of insects and bugs at bay.

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Treat clothes and gear with Permethrin 

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Consider applying Sawyer’s pharmaceutical-grade Permethrin to gear and clothes for an effective repellent that lasts. Simply lay out what you want to treat, spray it down enough so fabric color changes to indicate a thorough wetting, and let it dry. Then you’re guaranteed protection for up to 6 weeks of UV exposure, or 6 washes in a washing machine - whichever comes first. 

While it works to repel over 55 types of bugs and insects, Permethrin is especially effective against ticks.

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A University of Rhode Island study (2011) found that people wearing Permethrin-treated shoes and socks were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than those wearing untreated footwear.

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Removing an embedded tick

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Finding an embedded tick can be stressful, but is perfectly manageable. Follow the steps below to safely remove a tick and set yourself up for success with a healthcare provider follow up, if necessary. 

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• Pull it - Using fine-tipped tweezers, grab as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up and with a steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk; this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin, risking infection. 
• Clean it - Use soap and water or rubbing alcohol to clean the bite site.‍
• Save it - Place the tick in a baggie or container and make note of the bite date and location you acquired the tick in case symptoms develop.

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Symptoms to watch for

Disclaimer: The content in this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Sawyer Products and its representatives are not healthcare professionals and cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions. Always seek guidance from your physician or other qualified medical provider regarding any symptoms, medical concerns, or treatment decisions related to tick bites or tick-borne illnesses.

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Emerging flu-like symptoms in the several weeks following a tick bite may indicate a tickborne illness has been transmitted. Many tickborne diseases have similar signs and symptoms, so information about when and where the tick was acquired can be especially helpful to healthcare providers when diagnosing. 

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Keep an eye out for the following, and contact a healthcare provider if any develop within several weeks of a known tick bite. 

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• Flu-like symptoms - Fever, chills, fatigue
• Pain - Headache, body aches, joint pain
• Rash -  Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and more can cause distinct rashes and indicate specific tick-borne illnesses

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Testing your tick

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Even if you haven’t developed symptoms or contacted a healthcare provider directly, there are options to determine whether an individual tick is carrying a disease to begin with. Use the resources below to find the most convenient option for you. 

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• Project Lyme, a Sawyer-sponsored community group set on spreading tickborne illness awareness and education, created a comprehensive list of testing locations and programs available across the United States. Click here to view. 
• Check locally for any state-led initiatives like the  Colorado Citizen Scientist Tick Submission Form or the Virginia Tick Survey
• Check with your healthcare provider for alternative options 

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Protecting Pets

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Pet owners are nearly twice as likely to find ticks crawling on them as those without pets in the home (Zoonoses and Public Health, 2017). Check pets after they've been outside, and use a consistent flea and tick preventive recommended by your veterinarian to keep ticks from making your furry friend a host.

Tick checks aren’t just for humans - check dogs ears, neck, under the collar, armpits, groin, between toes, under the tail, and around the eyelids for unwanted hitchhikers when they’re done playing outdoors.

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Permethrin is also an effective flea and tick treatment for dogs, and doesn’t require the bug to bite to be effective. Ticks only need to crawl across one inch of treated fur to begin the dying process, which means they won’t just hop onto the human members of your household if they’re carried in. 

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Learn more at Sawyer.com/Dogs

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While this knowledge is key to keeping yourself protected from ticks, it’s also important to remember that awareness matters more than panic. These simple steps can go a long way in protecting you and your family from diseases spread by ticks. 

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Rasilimali

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Statement from the CDC, Apr 2026 - CDC Data Show Weekly ER Visits for Tick Bites Higher than Usual 

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Zoonoses and Public Health June 2017 - Pet ownership increases human risk of encountering ticks

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University of Rhode Island March 2011 - Tick bite protection with permethrin-treated summer-weight clothing

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