Plus: A truly special vintage pen
Tick bites are no joke. Here's how to prevent them and protect yourself. |
 | | Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by AdobeStock |
The mere thought of ticks makes our skin crawl. And the diseases they spread are only getting more common. Since prevention is better than having to seek treatment, we've compiled our most effective picks to keep ticks at bay — and some advice to keep in mind as you head outdoors this summer. Before you head outside - Cover up: Whenever possible, reduce the amount of exposed skin near plants and brush. For hiking, gardening, camping, and the like, wear long pants, a shirt with sleeves, and a hat.
- Slather up: After testing 25 bug repellents, we found the best one. Compared with others we looked at, it applies the most evenly, with the least amount of overspray.
- Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin: "In the war against ticks, this spray is my secret weapon," says writer Doug Mahoney. This repellent is made specifically for treating clothing, not spraying on skin. Once you've properly sprayed an item, it holds repellency for about six weeks or through roughly six washings. And unlike picaridin- and DEET-based sprays, permethrin is actually an insecticide, so it can kill ticks instead of just shooing them away.
- Protect your pets, too: Ticks can ride along with your pets, so make sure you're regularly doing tick checks on any animals that go outdoors. In our guide to the best flea and tick treatments for cats and dogs, we have several recommendations to help control ticks on your pets.
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After your outdoor adventure - Grab a lint roller: Yep, really. Once you're at your vehicle or on your doorstep, give your clothing a good brushing with a lint roller. And don't forget to give your dog's or cat's coat a once-over, too.
- Check yourself: When you get home, check yourself for ticks — including your hairline, backs of your knees, intimate areas, and behind your ears. Ticks often attach in areas you tend not to pay much attention to, and that makes finding them harder. So be sure to check … everywhere.
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READ THE GUIDE How to prevent tick bites — and what to do if you get bit→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
Plus: How national park rangers protect themselves from bugs (and how you can too) |
 | | Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by Everglades National Park |
The people who work in our national parks' vast and diverse landscapes have seen everything our public lands have to offer. The sweeping vistas, jaw-dropping geological formations, and elusive wildlife sightings are all regular aspects of their 9-to-5 jobs — as are swarms of mosquitoes, biting black flies, and, yes, the ever-present threat of ticks. We spoke with park rangers for their best buggy advice — and their recommendations range from head nets to wearable fans to getting on a boat. This head net won't win any beauty awards. But it just might be worth it→
One writer took it to the next level: "I got my clothes professionally coated in tick killer." You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can't always respond, but we do love to hear from you. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. |
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