What should you buy against ticks? - briefly
Buy an EPA‑registered tick repellent with DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 for personal protection and treat clothing and gear with permethrin. Use a veterinary‑approved tick collar or topical medication on pets to prevent infestations.
What should you buy against ticks? - in detail
When dealing with tick‑borne risks, selecting the appropriate products is essential for personal protection and for safeguarding pets and outdoor gear. The market offers several categories, each serving a specific purpose.
Effective personal repellents contain DEET (10‑30 %), picaridin (20 %), or IR3535 (10‑20 %). Apply to exposed skin and clothing, reapplying according to label instructions after swimming or heavy sweating. For those preferring natural options, oil of lemon eucalyptus (30 %) provides comparable protection, though it requires more frequent reapplication.
Clothing treatments enhance barrier protection. Permethrin‑impregnated garments repel ticks for up to six weeks of regular wear. Treat untreated fabrics with a permethrin spray, allowing the product to dry completely before use. Avoid direct skin contact with the spray; it is safe for fabrics but can irritate skin.
Pet‑specific solutions include spot‑on treatments (e.g., fipronil, selamectin) applied monthly along the neck, oral chewables containing afoxolaner or fluralaner, and tick collars infused with amitraz or permethrin. Choose a product compatible with the animal’s age, weight, and health status; consult a veterinarian if uncertainty exists.
Environmental control products reduce tick populations in yards and surrounding habitats. Apply acaricides such as bifenthrin or permethrin to perimeter fences, leaf litter, and low‑lying vegetation, following label dosage and safety precautions. Regularly mow grass, remove leaf piles, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawn and wooded areas to limit tick migration.
Summary of recommended purchases:
- Skin and clothing repellents: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus oil.
- Permethrin‑treated apparel: pre‑treated shirts, pants, socks; DIY spray for existing gear.
- Pet protection: monthly spot‑on, oral chewable, tick collar.
- Yard acaricides: bifenthrin, permethrin formulations; application tools (sprayer, protective gloves).
Each product should be used according to manufacturer guidelines, with attention to age restrictions, concentration limits, and reapplication intervals. Combining personal, pet, and environmental measures offers the most comprehensive defense against tick encounters.