A tick-aware camping and hiking plan.

Think beyond the trail itself

Ticks may be encountered around campsites, picnic spots, brushy parking areas, and pet walking routes. Use local guidance to understand the destination and choose clear paths when practical. Before a trip, decide where you will keep tweezers and what you will do if someone becomes ill far from usual care.

Pack a compact kit

• Fine-point tweezers and a small light.
• Repellent appropriate to the user, country, and intended pest.
• A mirror or a plan for a trusted helper to check difficult areas.
• A secure container and a way to record dates and locations.
• Pet supplies and the current veterinary prevention schedule.

Keep original product labels accessible. A decanted bottle without directions makes shared use harder to manage.

At camp

Keep checks predictable: after arriving, after time in vegetation, and when changing clothes. Inspect pets and their sleeping areas. Avoid leaving the removal kit buried under packed gear. Long sleeves and trousers can be useful, but account for heat and comfort so the plan is practical for the conditions.

Know the clothing-treatment difference

In the U.S., some labelled permethrin products are intended for clothing and equipment. Canadian guidance permits registered factory-treated garments but does not approve consumer sprays for treating personal clothing. Follow country and item-specific instructions; neither category is a skin repellent. Read the full comparison.

After the trip

Plan time for a body check, pet inspection, and clothing care before unpacking throughout the house. Record any bite with the destination and dates. If illness develops afterward, tell the clinician about travel even if you never noticed an attached tick.