Last August, my wife and I went for a hike at Blydenburgh Park on a beautiful Sunday morning. It’s not really an adventurous place, but it’s peaceful, relaxing, has a beautiful lake and a bunch of different trails. It’s one of our favorite places.
We were walking around for a few hours, talking and taking in the scenery. It’s amazing how fast the time goes when we are there.
When we stopped at one of the benches for lunch, Deb unpacked the pepper and egg sandwiches she made. So good. As we finished eating and were packing up, she noticed something on my neck.
A tick. Luckily, it hadn’t attached yet and she was able to brush it off. Then I looked down and saw another one on my pant leg and swatted it away. I absolutely despise ticks.
We had taken a shortcut through some tall grass on our way to the picnic bench. I’m guessing that’s where the hitchhikers hopped on.
I did a quick check of her, and she did the same for me, and we were clean.
Ticks are no joke. My Aunt Barbara has had three Weimaraners for as long as I remember and she always has them out running around in one woods or another. And she is always combing ticks off them afterward.
A few years ago, she missed one on herself though and got Lyme disease. She thought she caught it early enough, but I guess not. The symptoms linger and there are days she’s so tired, she can’t get off the couch. Not to mention the occasional knee pain and swelling and the brain fog.
It’s scary. A tick the size of a poppy seed can cause huge problems. That goes for mosquitoes, fleas and a handful of other pests as well.
It’s Not the Bite You Should Worry About
Every summer it’s the same thing. We hang out on the weekends at night with some friends by the firepit, have a few drinks and laughs and eventually someone gets bit by a mosquito.
The citronella torches we have out work OK, but they aren’t 100%. Eventually, I run into my shed and get a bottle of repellent.
We get annoyed when we get bit. It itches and turns red. But it could be a whole lot worse than just annoying.
Mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other biting insects can pass along viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause serious illnesses. Aunt Barb can tell you all about Lyme disease.
But there’s also Rocky Mountain spotted fever and West Nile virus, which we had a nasty outbreak here about ten years ago.
Then there are some diseases that I can’t even pronounce, so good thing I only have to write them. Ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and Dengue fever. Plus, if you’re traveling outside of the United States, you have to watch out for malaria, too.
Some of these can leave you feeling miserable for days or weeks. Or even linger for years, like Lyme disease.
Thankfully, not every bug is going to make you sick. But I’d rather not take the chance.
Dress for Protection
When we go hiking or anywhere in the woods, it’s probably one of the only times I ever wear long pants. I even shovel snow in my shorts. Well, sometimes.
I don’t care how hot it is. You’re not going to catch me without long sleeves, long pants, socks pulled up to my knees, good boots and a hat.
I also try to wear light colors, so it’s easier to see those ticks crawling on me.
I’ve even seen guys on the trail who have their pants tucked into their socks. That’s a hard pass for me, but I get why they’re doing it.
Don’t Skip the Bug Spray
I should probably leave myself a note by the firepit to get the bug spray out before someone gets bit.
I used to throw bug spray in my backpack “just in case.” Then I’d get home and realize it never left the bag.
I’m not a huge fan of the smell or the way it feels on my skin, but I’ve learned it’s worth dealing with.
Every night after dinner during the season, I try to spend a few minutes in my vegetable garden. Pulling weeds, staking tomatoes, and my favorite part, picking ripe vegetables.
But before I head in these days, I put the bug spray on. I learned the hard way a few years ago when I was getting eaten up alive. I couldn’t believe all the mosquitoes that were in there.
Then I saw why. My nephew Tristan had a bunch of five-gallon pails standing upright by the fence. Every time the sprinkler came on, they caught a few inches of water.
Since they never got emptied, the water just sat there getting stagnant. It was basically a mosquito nursery and let’s just say I got bit quite a lot that day.
But even without those pails, there are always at least a few mosquitoes in the garden, so it’s worth the ten seconds to put on.
And like sunblock, it doesn’t last all day. I have to keep reminding myself to reapply.
Smart Campsite Selection
About twenty years ago, I was in Maine camping with my friend Andrew. We made the mistake of setting up camp next to a small pond. It was very nice. But it was also mosquito heaven.
Good thing we were leaving the next day because I couldn’t take another night like that.
Now, when setting the tent up, I pay a lot more attention to what’s around me. I try to avoid standing water, thick brush, and those shady, damp areas where mosquitoes seem to come out of nowhere.
Check Yourself Every Day
I can say that I’m pretty diligent about checking for ticks when I’m out.
Those sneaky little bugs blend in because they are so small, but if you’re really looking, there’s a good chance you can get them before they find a good place to bite.
I’ll start with my hairline and behind the ears. Then look under my arms, around the waist, behind the knees, and around my ankles.
And don’t forget about your kids. When I was little, my dad checked me regularly after I’d been playing out back, which was pretty much all woods.
He found a bunch of them, too. When he did, he would poke it with a sewing needle until the head came out of my skin. Once it was loose, he’d put it in an ashtray and light it up. That was old school.
It’s a good idea to shake out the clothes you were wearing, as well.
Don’t Forget Your Pets
We give Muffin, our dog, NexGard Plus every month to protect her from fleas and ticks. But that doesn’t mean I don’t comb through her every day.
We have a small, wooded area outside, and she is always running around chasing something, sniffing through the brush, or exploring places where she probably shouldn’t be.
Every time she comes back inside, I give her a quick once-over. Most of the time I find nothing, but it only takes one tick finding its way inside to create a much bigger problem.
Keep Your Campsite Clean
The only thing worse than finding a rat in your campsite is finding one covered in ticks and fleas.
For me, it’s a huge priority not to leave any scraps of food lying around that could attract these vermin. I also make sure all of our food supply is stored so nothing can get at it.
Don’t leave that dirty cookware out to clean in the morning, either.
If (When) You Get Bit
I try to wash the area as soon as I can. Then really try not to scratch it. That’s definitely not as easy as it sounds.
After that, there’s really not much to do except to keep an eye on it. Warning signs to look for are increasing redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, or worsening pain.
If you notice any of those, it’s time to get it looked at.
Build an Insect Defense Kit
Now, I don’t follow my dad’s regimen quite so closely here.
My kit has two cans of bug spray, fine-tipped tweezers to get the ticks off when they are hunkered down, anti-itch cream, alcohol wipes, band-aids, a hat and a spare pair of long socks.
That’s it.
Final Thoughts
Every time Deb and I pull into the driveway after a hike, we do the same thing.
Before we even take our boots off, we check each other for ticks. It’s just something we do now without even thinking about it.
It only takes a few minutes to put on bug spray, check for ticks, or give Muffin a once-over before she comes back inside.
I’d rather spend five minutes doing that than spend weeks or even years wishing I had.
Anthony Vion is a Long Island husband, gardener, hiker, and lifelong prepper who believes preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated. Through personal stories and practical advice, he shares the everyday habits that have helped him and his family become more self-reliant.
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on my own experiences and research. It isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. If you’re bitten by a tick or insect and develop concerning symptoms, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
