Longtime blog readers expect my frequent posts in late winter warning of muddy trails during freeze/thaw cycles - and alternative "firm trail" hiking suggestions.
And most of you know that hot on the heels of the last winter snows and March's warming temps, I will be sharing my annual alerts on tick re-activation in the woods and fields.
Along with the robins, grackles and cries of migrating waterfowl, the time of ticks is once more upon us. When temperatures hit the 40s, ticks can become active. They will remain active from now until consistent freezing temperatures return in fall.
In the Driftless area, it is the blacklegged deer tick that is of most concern. It's bite can transmit Lyme's disease as well as anaplasmosis. What makes this early spring warming so critical is that not just adults are active, but their nymphs are too - and those little buggers are sneakily small.
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| A. Nymph B. Adult male C. Adult female Image/Text - Ohio Department of Health |
This isn't to say we shouldn't get out hiking/bushwhacking in woods and fields as they firm up. Instead, it's to remind of us to exercise some common sense precautions for tick-free fun on trails.
When I gear up for spring trail hikes, there are a couple of things that help keep me worry free and tickless:
Pre-hike:
- Pre-treat hiking clothes and gear with Premethrin which typically lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washes before application needs to be renewed
- Use insect repellants with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin
- Choose lightcolored hiking clothes/gear so that ticks can be more easily seen.
- Spray boots and tuck pants legs into boots OR wear knee-high or ankle-high tick gaiters pre-treated with Premethrin
- Consider investing in chemical-free Rynoskin, light nylon long sleeve shirt/leggings gathered at wrists, waist and ankles (learned this tip from a Canadian paddler who did lots of spring paddling - and its a keeper)
- Toss hiking clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes on high. If clothes need to be washed, do them in hot water
- Shower/bathe asap once off the trail to more easily wash off ticks
- Use mirror to do a full body check if returning from ticky areas. Areas to be especially mindful of: hair, behind the knees, between legs, on and around ears, under arms, around the waist
- Remeber in spring, the nymphs are impossibly small so really be aware as you do body/clothes checks
- Check gear and boots to make sure ticks haven't hitchad a ride
I typically head out on 50-60 March-May spring hikes with plenty of bushwhacking (any fungi, flower or fern screams at me to leave the trail and come closer) and have had no problems with ticks over the last five years that I've been doing the above routines.
For more tips on way to prevent tick bites on the trail, on pets and around the outside of your home, check out this brief but excellent brochure from the Ohio Department of Public Health on being tick-smart.
An ounce of prevention and some careful investment can make the difference in spring hiking enjoyment.
See you on the trails!
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| Not tick bait! Off-trail amidst the wildflowers in Rynoskin and knee-high tick gaiters |
You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
