Latest news with #tickremoval
CNN
08-08-2025
- Health
- CNN
I tried the best tick repellent products, according to entomologists. Here's how to stay safe
Tick repellent quick picks Tick repellent for clothing and gear: Insect Shield Premium Permethrin Spray DEET tick repellent for skin: Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent DEET-free tick repellent: Coleman SkinSmart DEET-Free Insect Repellent Tick-removal tweezers: Tweezerman Stainless Steel Splintertweeze If you're spending time outdoors, especially during peak tick season, it's essential to use the best tick repellent products. 'There is nothing good that happens when a tick attaches to the human body,' said Elmer Gray, a medical and veterinary entomologist at the University of Georgia, so finding ways to prevent them from doing so is key to enjoying worry-free time outdoors. When it comes to protecting yourself from ticks, there's no shortage of products to choose from, but some products are more effective than others. Many tick repellents contain active ingredients like permethrin, DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus, which are often considered highly effective, but there are also products such as tick-repelling bracelets, stickers and essential oils that some people swear by. The latter, however, don't have the same demonstrated success, according to Gray. To help you stay safe from ticks and tick-borne diseases, I consulted top entomologists and tick experts to identify the most effective tick repellents, bug sprays and tick-removal strategies that actually work. Andrea Swei, professor of biology at San Francisco State University with a speciality in tick-borne pathogens and a doctorate in infectious disease ecology, said that treating clothes and outdoor gear with permethrin is highly effective for outdoor recreation. But since permethrin is an insecticide, it should only be applied to clothing and gear, not your skin. When applying the spray, ensure you're in a well-ventilated outdoor area and follow each product's instructions. Gray recommended 'treating your shoes, socks and pants over the waistline with this material if you're going to be exposed to known tick populations.' This treatment is particularly beneficial for regular hikers, campers and anyone frequently exposed to tick habitats. Insect Shield Premium Permethrin Spray The permethrin in this spray paralyzes ticks and protects you for up to 60 days. Insect Shield Premium Permethrin Spray is also almost completely odorless and delivered a consistent, even coating when I applied it to my shoes and clothing. I left the treated articles to dry for two hours outdoors, per label instructions, but I noticed the shoes I treated were dry in 30 minutes. The spray left no stickiness after drying. Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent This spray dries in about an hour, and while it is odorless, it has a noticeable chemical smell during application. I liked that it had both spray and stream application settings for precise coverage. Applying a permethrin spray like this one can provide up to six weeks of protection from ticks. 'I use permethrin products to spray my pants and tops of boots before entering infested areas,' said Jerome Goddard, a medical entomologist and professor with a doctorate in entomology at Mississippi State Women's No Fly Zone Pants If you're like me and want to venture outdoors safely with minimal prep time, these trousers are pretreated with permethrin and offer protection without the hassle of spending hours applying a spray yourself. They also protect the skin from the sun with UPF 50 sun protection. Men's No Fly Zone Pants No Fly Zone trousers provide tick protection for up to 70 washes. According to Goddard, permethrin-treated clothing is an effective option trusted by the military and endorsed by outdoor enthusiasts. Women's Insect Shield Field Tee With lightweight fabric, UPF 50 sun protection and an EPA-approved permethrin mosquito- and tick-repellent coating, Insect Shield Field Tee offers practical protection suitable for most outdoor adventures. Men's Insect Shield Field Tee A permethrin long-sleeved tee is a great option because it provides additional protection while covering exposed skin. Gray said that those in high-exposure areas should be vigilant about tucking in their clothing, even when treated with permethrin, to reduce the risk of exposure. Insect Shield Lightweight Hiking Socks With Permethrin Bug Repellant These socks are soft and thick with added tick protection. According to Gray, many tick encounters occur when we walk through wooded or grassy areas and vegetation brushes against our legs. Tucking in permethrin-treated socks like these can stop ticks from coming in contact with your skin. You can apply DEET directly to your skin for proven protection against ticks. According to the CDC, DEET bug spray works by making it harder for insects like mosquitoes and ticks to smell humans (and then bite them). Goddard said sticking to a specific range of concentration is best to avoid potential adverse reactions from overuse. 'There is really no need to use 100% DEET as a repellent when 20% to 35% DEET products are very effective,' he said. Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent has less of the oily feel characteristic of many DEET repellents, which made it a top pick in our best bug sprays guide. With a 25% concentration of DEET, it provides comfortable protection from ticks. Read our review OFF! Deep Woods DEET Insect Repellent Aerosol Deep Woods from OFF! is a 25% DEET formula that repels gnats, mosquitoes and biting flies in addition to ticks. Goddard said DEET repellents are the gold standard for on-skin application. Ben's Tick and Insect Repellent Eco Spray Ben's Tick and Insect Repellent Eco Spray smells like traditional bug spray and leaves a slightly oily residue on the skin, but it uses a 30% concentration of DEET, which is an ideal amount for repelling ticks, according to Goddard. IR3535-based products provide long-lasting tick and mosquito protection and were recommended by both Swei and Goddard for on-skin use. Coleman IR3535 SkinSmart DEET-Free Insect Repellent For those put off by the feel of DEET, Colman's SkinSmart DEET-Free Insect Repellent was quick-drying without a greasy or sticky feel when tested by outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor Kai Burkhardt. IR3535 is EPA registered and recommended as a tick repellent by the CDC. Read our review Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition Aerosol Spray Goddard recommends using products containing IR3535, like this Skin-So-Soft aerosol spray, for reliable tick and mosquito protection for up to eight hours. It also provides SPF 28 protection. Since you typically want to reapply sunscreen more often than bug spray, be careful not to reapply this repellent more than its instructions indicate. Lemon eucalyptus-based repellents offer a natural yet effective short-term solution against ticks, making them suitable for those seeking alternatives to synthetic chemicals. The experts I spoke to said to avoid other essential oil- or natural oil-based repellents, though. According to Gray, repellents with this EPA-approved active ingredient are one of the best types for skin application. Coleman Botanticals Insect Repellent Spray With Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus If you want to avoid DEET, repellents using lemon eucalyptus, like this one, can protect you for up to six hours. Gray said this natural repellent is a short-term but effective option against ticks. Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito and Tick Bug Repellent Spray Swei said oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only natural oil she recommends for tick prevention, since other natural oil-based tick repellents have not been proven to be effective. Picaridin is appreciated for its feel and strong protection against mosquitoes, but it also protects against ticks. It's an option for those who dislike the oily feel of DEET. According to Swei, picaridin repellents have some of the longest periods of effectiveness and can remain effective against ticks for up to eight hours. Proven Insect Repellent Mosquito and Tick Odorless Picaridin Spray This traditional spray bottle option offers 14 hours of protection from ticks and was a top pick in our best bug sprays guide. I like that this formulation also repels mosquitoes and flies. Read our review Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent This 20% picaridin formula comes as a lotion, and I liked that it lacked the greasy or sticky feel of some other insect repellent products. It provides eight-hour protection from ticks and mosquitoes too. When it comes to tick removal, experts unanimously recommend tweezers as the safest and most effective tool. Tweezerman Stainless Steel Splintertweeze "A pair of tweezers is just as effective as any [tick remover] I have seen," Goddard said. A thin head, like the one on this Tweezerman pair, helps to grip ticks for removal. Tick Mitt Tick Removal Glove Though tweezers are recommended for removing embedded ticks, options like this tick glove can help remove ticks on pets and clothing that have not yet embedded. The right tick protection depends on your environment, activity level and personal preferences. If you're heading into a wooded area or tall grass, experts recommend taking a layered approach. 'Permethrin sprayed on clothing and equipment does a good job of protecting most people who are hiking, recreating outdoors or gardening,' Swei said. For exposed skin, topical repellents offer another layer of protection, and DEET is the best option. 'DEET is a longtime standard that is easily available in many formulations and is highly effective,' Gray said. Picaridin is also effective, with studies showing up to eight hours of protection from certain formulations. 'The gold standards for tick repellents on skin are DEET, picaridin and a compound called IR3535,' Goddard said. For those looking for plant-based alternatives, oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only natural option with proven efficacy, according to Swei. Choosing between sprays, creams or treated clothing often comes down to comfort and convenience. Sprays may offer more even coverage, while creams can be easier to apply to smaller areas. For most people, a combination of permethrin-treated clothing and a skin-applied repellent with at least 20% active ingredient provides the best defense. Also, though they are other popular alternatives, 'stickers and bracelets are not effective and should not be used,' Gray said. If you're unsure what tick protection would be best for you, the EPA offers an interactive tool to help consumers select repellents based on personal needs and activity types. If you find a tick on your body, swift removal is key. Use a clean pair of tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out with steady pressure. Wash the bite area with soap and water and apply a local antiseptic. Gray recommends placing the tick in a sealed bag or medicine vial and freezing it in case symptoms arise later. Once the tick is removed, clean the area thoroughly and monitor your health over the next two weeks. 'If any kind of illness — headache, fever, rash — begins within the next 14 days, they should see their physician with the tick removal information,' Gray said. Swei also said that ticks often take hours to embed, so frequent tick checks during and after outdoor activity increase the chance of spotting one before it bites. Some ticks, such as the Lone Star tick, can trigger a fairly immediate allergic reaction. 'Their saliva produces a strong allergic reaction that will produce a significant, very itchy welt,' Gray said. He recommends washing the area with very hot water and applying cortisone cream to ease irritation and reduce the chance of infection. The following questions were answered by professor and entomologist Jerome Goddard, entomologist and public health specialist Elmer Gray, and biology professor and expert in infectious disease ecology Andrea Swei. What repels ticks? What repels ticks? Ticks are most effectively repelled by products containing EPA-approved active ingredients, with permethrin, DEET, picaridin and IR3535 leading the list. According to Gray, 'permethrin and higher (25% to 40%) concentrations of DEET' are especially effective. Permethrin is used to treat clothing and gear and is widely recommended, while skin-applied repellents like picaridin and IR3535 offer strong protection when used as directed. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only natural ingredient the experts we consulted consider effective. Plant-based oils like citronella or rosemary may offer minimal protection but wear off quickly and are not recommended for serious prevention. Does DEET repel ticks? Does DEET repel ticks? Yes, DEET is a proven and effective tick repellent when used at the right concentration. 'DEET does repel ticks,' Goddard said. Concentrations between 20% and 40% are both safe and effective, with no need for 100% formulations. While DEET can have an oily feel and may damage some plastics, it remains a trusted, widely available option for ticks and mosquitoes. Does bug repellent work on ticks? Does bug repellent work on ticks? Bug repellents can work on ticks, but not all formulas are effective. While many products marketed for mosquitoes are also labeled for ticks, the concentration of the active ingredient is key. 'It is recommended that concentrations of 20% or greater be used for ticks. This eliminates many of the commercially available products,' Gray said. The EPA is working on a clearer labeling system to help consumers understand which repellents are effective against specific pests, as some ingredients last longer or perform better on mosquitoes than ticks, Swei said. Should I use a tick testing kit? Should I use a tick testing kit? While tick testing kits are widely available, Goddard warned that a negative test result can be misleading. 'What if there were several ticks that got on you and bit you that day?' he said. 'You might start showing signs and symptoms of tick-borne illness, but think, 'Nope. It can't be a tick disease. The test showed negative.'' Instead, tracking symptoms and timing is more reliable. When in doubt, consult a healthcare provider. For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights. Jerome Goddard, medical entomologist at Mississippi State University with a doctorate in entomology and extensive publications on tick-borne diseases Elmer Gray, medical and veterinary entomologist at University of Georgia's Cooperative Extension Service, public health specialist and avid outdoorsman Andrea Swei, professor of biology at San Francisco State University with a speciality in tick-borne pathogens and a doctorate in infectious disease ecology, and leadership board member of the CDC Center of Excellence in Vector Biology's Pacific Southwest region CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products, and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this guide, editorial intern Chelsea Collier interviewed entomologists and tick experts to gain trusted advice on tick repellent products.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Tick treatment: N.B. pharmacist explains what to do if you've been bitten
Products used in the prevention and removal of ticks are pictured on a store shelf. Inside Ford's Family Pharmacy & Wellness Centre in Moncton, N.B., there's a shelf dedicate to tick-prevention and removal – items that Pharmacist and Owner, Peter Ford says are becoming more popular as tick bites rise across the Maritimes. 'I think we've done 12 cases so far,' said Ford. 'I think maybe last year we did two, so it's been pretty prevalent and they're even in people's gardens.' Ford says many clients remove the tick before coming into the pharmacy but it's not as simple as just brushing it off your arm or leg. 'Get a nice pair of tweezers or you can get a tick remover which kind of pinches the tick,' he said. 'You want to get the whole body out intact because that's how we evaluate whether or not it's a Lyme tick or not, or a deer tick, and how long it's been feeding by the size of the belly of the tick itself.' Ford says people need to preserve the tick in a jar, bag or vial so that it can be inspected to determine the proper treatment. 'The bullseye rash is not always present,' he said. 'Sometimes it's absent, like of the 12 that we've done I think I've only seen the bullseye rash once, so it's not always that common. Fever and flu-like symptoms are tell-tale signs of infection, said Ford. He said they monitor patients and prescribe dozycycline as necessary. The pharmacy follows up within 24 to 48 hours to make sure no other symptoms arise. 'It's a single dose treatment and that prevents the Lyme but we have to get it within three days of the bite,' said Ford. Ford says it's important for people to do a full inspection if they're near the woods, or even just outside. He says ticks are small enough to miss but people can look for a red dot – like a pimple – and any black colouration surrounding the area. James Donald of Hiking NB and Paddling NB says he tries to get out on the trail or the water at least twice a week. He said he's seen more people with the socks wrapped over their pant legs for protection. Both he and his wife have experience with ticks. 'She went through the whole shots, treatment and everything and then we were actually at a hike summit down in Nova Scotia, which they're actually a lot thicker down there in the southern part of Nova Scotia, and I had my first tick experience there.' Ford said the pants he wears now are treated with the tick repellant permethrin. 'The problem is when you're in long grass and things are touching your legs and stuff that's kind of where they hang out and then they grab on and hold on and try to climb into any nook and cranny they can find on you.' According to the New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association 'your overall risk of developing Lyme disease after a high-risk tick bite is approximately three per cent and the tick needs to be attached to your skin for more than 24 hours to transmit the bacteria.' The Association also says that clothes should be put in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes or in a hot wash cycle to help kill off any ticks. It also recommends having a shower or bath to rinse away any that might not have attached yet. Ford says it's also important to check pets. He says you should check with your pharmacist if you're using preventative sprays or oils to make sure they are safe for every member of the family. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
