How should you dress to protect against ticks? - briefly
Wear long, tightly woven sleeves and pants, tucking the trousers into socks or boots, and choose light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily. Use a tick-repellent spray on all exposed fabric and avoid loose, open garments that allow attachment.
How should you dress to protect against ticks? - in detail
Wear light‑colored, long‑sleeved shirts and long trousers when entering tick‑infested areas. Light colors make it easier to spot attached ticks. Tuck shirts into pants and secure pant legs inside socks or boots to close gaps where ticks can crawl.
Choose fabrics with a tight weave; denim, canvas, and synthetic blends reduce the ability of ticks to attach. Treat clothing with permethrin (0.5 % concentration) before use. Permethrin remains effective through several washes and kills ticks on contact.
Avoid open footwear such as sandals or flip‑flops. Opt for closed shoes, high‑ankle boots, or hiking boots that cover the foot and lower leg. Wear a hat with a brim to keep ticks away from the neck and hair.
Consider additional protective accessories:
- Gaiters or leg sleeves that cover the lower leg and overlap with boots.
- Gloves, especially when handling brush or vegetation.
- Insect‑repellent‑treated socks or liners for added barrier.
Inspect clothing and skin frequently during and after exposure. Remove any attached tick with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling steadily upward. Clean and store clothing according to the permethrin manufacturer’s instructions to maintain efficacy.