When enjoying the outdoors, the last thing you want to worry about is ticks. According to the state of Alaska’s Division of Environment Health, these tiny, eight-legged crawlers are notably hard to spot. They’re tear-drop shaped, ranging from the size of a grain of salt to an apple seed, though they swell up when they’re feeding. Primarily, ticks live in wooded areas, yards and low-growing grasslands and can cause general discomfort and serious health issues to humans and pets alike.
While ticks transmit Lyme disease, it’s important to know that not all carry the bacteria. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, ticks infected with Lyme is area-dependent and can span from less than 1% to more than 50% of the population. Jonhs Hopkins recommend researching your area (or areas you’ll be traveling) to get the most accurate info. The CDC has an interactive map of Lyme disease rates in the US (and some other great online resources for education and support.)
If you know you’re going to be in areas with ticks, Matthew Aardema, an assistant professor of biology at Montclair State University recommends taking proper accommodations before you go outside. Wear lighter colors (which make ticks easier to see), tuck pants into socks and shirts into waistband and make sure you have a good bug spray. You should also consider treating your clothes, shoes and gear with a spray that contains 0.5% permethrin.
You also want to make sure to check yourself, your kiddos and your pets when spending time outdoors, making sure you get your scalp, behind your ears, armpits, groin, belly button and behind your knees. And hop in the shower after a hike or camping trip, to further ensure they’re off.
“A tick searching for a place to bite is much easier to remove than a tick that has already started feeding,” Aardema previously told HuffPost. “So check for ticks frequently during hikes or whenever spending an extended amount of time outdoors.”
Of course, if you do spot one of these critters on your body, you’ll want to remove it as quick as you can, especially before it starts feeding. To help you push these parasites, we rounded up some highly rated tick removers to keep on your while you’re enjoying the outdoors.
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A trio of removal tools that reviewers say are great for dogs
Promising review: “We hike often and spend a decent amount of time outside, so ticks are pretty normal for us. Our pups are vaccinated properly and on preventives, but the ticks are horrible this season and these removal tools have come in so handy! We have had a 100% success rate with this tool, and will not even try to use tweezers again. Definitely recommend keeping these easily accessible during tick season if your pups hang out outside with you!” — Kayla H
Amazon
A card-style remover that can go in your wallet
Promising review: “With the multiple ticks I remove from my pets and myself, this has become a very reliable tool!” — Gerard Webb
Amazon
A trio of removers with a flea comb
Promising review: “My cat had a tick she did not want me anywhere near to. The tool made removal quick and less stressful than imagined. She loves the flea comb too.” — Itzy
Amazon
A set of three key ring tools
Promising review: “Hate to say that I ‘finally’ got to use these today, but….Had a tick on my neck and holy cow did this little tool make it easy. I thought the angle of my neck would make it difficult, but nope. Pulled it right out intact. Worth having around the house for sure” — Kyle V.
Amazon
A handy tick glove
Promising review: “This is a must have for any outdoor enthusiast. As someone with close friends who has had Lyme Disease, the mitt is so easy to use and takes away the worry. Can’t wait to bring this with me on the golf course and when we go hiking!!” — Joshua Aaron Knoller
Amazon
A keychain remover with a magnifier
Promising review: “These have a forked shape that allows you to get under the little buggers without squeezing the body or head. Then you pull firmly out and usually get the whole tick. The vet suggested it for the dog, but I used this on the kids for years. I give them to family as stocking stuffers because they are so helpful and cheap. I carry one on every key chain too so I can remove ticks while still outdoors.” — EMT
Amazon
A pair of removal tools for humans and pets
Promising review: “I live in an area where there’s a lot of ticks. It works wonderful in removal. Something you hope you never need to use but important if you need it.” — patricia
Amazon
A trio of bowl-shaped tick removers
Promising review: “I live in the Northeast so I live in Deer Tick country. Having dogs and kids around feel like I’m always taking a tick off of somebody or something this is definitely a great hands-free way of doing it does not hurt no tears the whole tick comes off great product” — Rebecca
Amazon
A plier-style remover
Promising review: “It was able to remove a tick that you couldn’t see the body. This was the instrument at my health care office used to remove the smallest deer tick I’ve ever been bitten by” — Kindle customer
