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Ticks

The 10 best tips for safely dealing with ticks

As soon as you feel a small prick on the skin, a tick has often already attached itself — a tiny parasite that can transmit diseases with serious health consequences. People who love the outdoors and spend a lot of time outside should be well prepared. But which measures really help to prevent tick bites and protect the skin?

Use of insect repellents (repellents)

Use repellents that repel not only mosquitoes but also ticks. These products alter the smell, temperature and moisture of the skin so that ticks can no longer locate you. Remember to reapply regularly, as the duration of effectiveness is limited.

Wear sturdy footwear and closed clothing

When hiking or walking in the woods, always wear sturdy footwear and long socks. Wear long trousers and tuck the trouser legs into your socks so ticks cannot reach bare skin and attach themselves.

Choose light-coloured, protective clothing

Wear clothing that largely covers the body. Ticks are easier to spot on light fabrics and can be removed quickly.

Stay on paths and avoid undergrowth

Avoid contact with undergrowth, tall grass or low-lying plants when you are outdoors by staying on well-defined paths wherever possible. This reduces the chance of ticks clinging to your clothing or skin.

Thoroughly check your body

After every visit to the outdoors, carefully check your body. The head, behind the ears, the neck, throat, armpits, groin, between the legs and the back of the knees are preferred tick sites.

Store clothing correctly

Do not store clothing worn in tick-prone areas in the bedroom or shared living spaces. It is better to keep them in a separate room or sealed airtight to prevent ticks from reaching other people.

Wash laundry at at least 60 °C

Wash worn clothing at at least 60 °C or tumble-dry at a high temperature. Only then will ticks be reliably killed; lower temperatures do not pose a threat to the parasites.

Storage of clothing before washing

If clothing will be washed later, keep it in a well-sealed plastic bag in a warm place, for example on a heater or in the sun. This protects you from ticks that might otherwise escape.

Remove ticks correctly

Remove ticks immediately after discovery with fine tweezers, a tick remover or a special tick card. Pull the tick slowly and straight out. Avoid twisting motions so the head does not remain embedded in the skin.

Do not use home remedies for removal

Avoid home remedies such as oil, glue or alcohol, as these stress the tick and may cause it to transmit more pathogens while struggling. Disinfect the bite site thoroughly after removing the parasite.

editorial.facts

Although ticks are only a few millimetres in size at first, they can expand their bodies many times when feeding on blood. The blood not only provides them with nourishment but also enables growth and reproduction.
Ticks become active already at temperatures of about 8 °C and are particularly active in spring and autumn. They are mainly active in the early morning and late evening while looking for a host.
These parasites lurk mainly in tall grass and undergrowth along paths and on forest floors. They do not climb down from trees or jump, but wait patiently for direct contact when someone passes by.
Not every tick is dangerous, but some carry bacteria or viruses that can cause diseases such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The longer a tick feeds, the greater the risk of infection, so early removal is crucial.