Ticks Are Especially Bad This Year — Here’s What You Need To Know to Stay Protected

Ticks Are Especially Bad This Year — Here’s What You Need To Know to Stay Protected

Everyday Health independently vets all recommended products. All prices are accurate at time of publish. If you purchase a featured product, we may be compensated. Learn why you can trust us.
I grew up in rural Oklahoma, where we had one neighbor over the hill, a nearby fishing pond, and beautiful scenery. Long story short: I was always — and still love to be — outside. That means I’m no stranger to one of the most dreaded insects: ticks. While not every tick bite carries disease, cases of tick-borne illnesses have more than doubled since 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including Lyme disease, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, among others.

Kseniya Kobets, MD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in New York, says that when it comes to choosing a tick repellent, it’s paramount to look for products containing ingredients approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC. “EPA registration attests that repellents are tested for safety and effectiveness and their effect on the environment,” she says. “The CDC only recommends ingredients shown to decrease disease transmission, which is important for preventing tick-borne illnesses like Lyme. Unapproved products may be ineffective or cause irritation.”

Preventing a tick bite is preferable to treating one, and prevention starts with being aware of your surroundings, covering up with clothes, and choosing the right tick repellent. Our list includes doctor-recommended and health editor–vetted products that contain CDC- and EPA-approved ingredients for adults and kids. Ahead, discover how to treat skin, clothes, and gear with a variety of tick repellents — including sprays, wipes, and stickers (yes, stickers!).

When to Consult a Doctor

Most people can safely remove a tick at home. However, if a tick is attached in a sensitive or hard-to-reach area like the eyelid, ear canal, or back of the head, or if part of the tick breaks off during removal, you should see a doctor to ensure complete removal. If you develop a rash or fever in the weeks after experiencing a tick bite, consult a healthcare professional, and be sure to mention the tick bite and its location, and roughly where you were when you picked up the tick.

DEET Tick Repellent Sprays for All-Day Protection

Repellents for ticks
Everyday Health
DEET, a chemical mixture you’ll find in some mosquito and tick repellents, often gets a bad rap because, well, applying chemicals directly to your skin isn’t ideal. However, DEET is very safe when used as directed and is incredibly effective at repelling ticks.

 One way DEET works is by messing with a tick’s senses. In this case, it’s their ability to suss out the heat source of prey and potential hosts.

Sawyer Products Premium maxi deet insect repellent

Safe for Your Skin and Clothes

Sawyer Premium Maxi Deet Insect Repellent Spray

Don’t judge me, but I’m grabbing a DEET tick repellent every time if I know I’m going into a heavily wooded area. Specifically, I’m grabbing the Sawyer Maxi Deet Insect Repellent Spray because it’s safe for your skin and clothes. It provides up to 10 hours of protection without feeling greasy or sticky. Plus, it repels mosquitoes and biting flies for further protection outdoors.
Ben's 100 Tick insect repellent pump spray

For Woodsy Adventures

Ben’s 100 Tick & Insect Repellent

If you’re planning an outside adventure in an area with a densely populated insect and tick population, you want to give yourself extra protection. Ben’s 100 Tick & Insect Repellent formula contains the highest concentration of DEET on the market: 98.11 percent. At this concentration, a single application provides the longest possible repellency (up to 10 hours) against ticks and other biting insects.

This tick repellent is specifically formulated for situations with severe insect presence, such as deep woods expeditions, areas with high tick populations, and regions where insect-borne diseases are prevalent. DEET is ideal for those prioritizing maximum protection and coverage longevity above all else.

 Do note that this product does have a pungent chemical smell, as expected, and feels greasy on your skin.
Deep Woods Off insect repellent

A Sweat-Resistant Formula? Yes, Please

Off! Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3

For a tick repellent with DEET, we love Off! Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3, primarily due to its balanced 30 percent concentration and sweat-proof formula. This level is highly effective for robust, long-lasting protection against ticks (up to eight hours), making it ideal for more outdoor activities where tick exposure is high.

 Plus, it means fewer reapplications if you’re outdoors hiking or being active in high temperatures.
“At 20 to 30 percent strength, DEET is effective against ticks,” says Dr. Kobets. “Try to look for products that last at least six to eight hours.”

Although higher concentrations of DEET exist, 30 percent hits the sweet spot, providing significant repellency without the excessive skin irritation or strong odor that can sometimes accompany products with 50 percent or more DEET. The aerosol spray bottle makes application on skin and clothes easy, but be careful if you wear synthetic fabrics, as DEET may stain or damage them. DEET can damage certain rubber, plastic, vinyl, or elastic materials such as contact lenses, eyeglass frames and lenses, cameras, watch crystals, painted and varnished surfaces, and certain synthetic or treated fabrics. DEET does not damage natural fibers like cotton and wool.

Plant-Based Tick Sprays for Peace of Mind

Plant based sprays for ticks
Everyday Health
Not sold on DEET? That’s OK. We’re also big fans of plant-based tick sprays, which often include natural ingredients, such as oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), that are also effective at repelling ticks. Plus, these often smell the best (fresh, in my opinion), and you’ll actually like catching a whiff of them while enjoying the great outdoors.
Natrapel lemon eucalyptus pump spray

Repel Ticks and Mosquitos Simultaneously

Natrapel Lemon Eucalyptus Tick & Insect Repellent

Many tick repellents also protect against mosquitoes and other small insects, and the Natrapel Lemon Eucalyptus spray is one of them. It contains OLE, a plant-based active ingredient registered with the EPA to prevent mosquito and tick bites.

 “I like the natural smell and how much product you’re able to get on your body in just one [spray],” says editor Alexandra Klausner. Use it on your skin, gear, or clothing for all-around protection.
NatPat baby buzz spray mosquito tick repellent

Smells Good and Safe for Kids

NatPat Buzz Spray Mosquito Repellent

The NatPat Buzz Spray Mosquito Repellent is the brand’s newest product, and we got to try it firsthand. First, we’re obsessed with the smell; it’s fresh and light, and even our kids wanted to wear it, insisting on spraying it on themselves, which is practically unheard of. The bottle reminds us of those trendy hand sanitizers; we’ve tossed the bottle in a bag and haven’t had any leaks.

Picaridin Tick Repellents to Confuse Those Pesky Insects

Picaridin sprays
Everyday Health
Picaridin is a synthetic compound modeled after a natural pepper plant extract that offers excellent repellency against ticks. It works by repelling and deterring ticks from hosts, such as animals and humans, because the bugs find picaridin sensorially unpleasant. In other words, it throws off the tick’s senses.

Picaridin is very effective for ticks, and can be a good choice for those with sensitive skin.

Sawyer Products picaridin insect repellent

For Long-Lasting, Effective Protection

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent

A favorite among Everyday Health editors, the Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent provides long-lasting, effective protection (up to 12 hours) without the downsides often associated with DEET, such as skin irritation and potential toxicity, according to the CDC.

 We use this product on ourselves and our kids, so we trust it enough to apply it directly to the skin.

This particular formula is nongreasy, nonsticky, and lacks a strong odor, making it highly appealing for direct skin application. Kobets says 20 percent concentration is effective, which this formula contains. As a bonus, it won’t damage plastics or synthetic fabrics, making it safe for use on clothing, gear, and skin.

Ranger Ready insect repellent

For an Odorless Result

Ranger Ready Repellent Scent Zero

Ranger Ready Repellent combines an effective 20 percent picaridin concentration with travel-friendly features. It offers long-lasting protection (up to 12 hours), which is crucial for travelers who need reliable protection without constant reapplications. 

Importantly, picaridin is nondamaging to clothing, plastics, and gear, making it ideal for packing alongside luggage and electronics. Its no-scent formula is also a significant benefit when in close quarters during travel. Plus, it’s available in compact, Transportation Security Administration–compliant sizes, further cementing its status as a top travel companion. Our Everyday Health editors note that the trigger pump dispenser makes it easy to use without fear of spilling.

Tick Repellent Wipes and Stickers You Can Take With You

Wipes and stickers for ticks
Everyday Health
A tick repellent in a wipe or sticker form is a game-changer for protection. You don’t have to worry about bottles leaking, and wipes and stickers are easy to toss into a bag in a rush. Plus, they’re easier to apply to kiddos. Here are a couple we love.
NatPat trailpatch tick stickers

So Easy to Use, Kids Won’t Complain

NatPat Natural Mosquito Repellent Patches for Kids

What kid wants to take the time to apply tick repellent when the great outdoors awaits them? I know mine doesn’t. The NatPat Natural Mosquito Repellent Patches are a blessing in disguise; they’re easy to apply, and kids think they’re getting a cool sticker just for fun. They contain ingredients like peppermint and cedarwood, which not only smell great, but help keep ticks away.

Apply the stickers onto shirts, hats, or backpacks for up to eight hours of protection.
Repel insect repellent mosquito tick wipes

Convenient Application Anywhere

Repel Mosquito and Tick Insect Repellent Wipes

Repel Insect Repellent Mosquito and Tick Wipes offer convenient application and an effective 12 percent picaridin concentration per wipe. The wipe format allows precise, controlled application, minimizing overspray and inhalation, and making it easy to target specific areas of the skin, especially for children (when applied by an adult).

The concentration per wipe ensures robust and reliable protection against ticks (up to 10 hours), making it appropriate for various outdoor activities. For quick, mess-free application on the go, especially when you want to avoid aerosols, these wipes are a standout solution.

Clothing and Gear Repellent for an Extra Layer of Protection

Clothing protection against ticks
Everyday Health

Treating clothes and gear with bug repellent is another important step in tick prevention. Our experts agreed permethrin-treated clothing is one of the best lines of defense against ticks. Permethrin bonds to fabric fibers and kills ticks on contact, providing an extra layer of protection beyond skin-applied repellents. Paul Arnaboldi, PhD, assistant professor of pathology, microbiology, and immunology at New York Medical College, explains that, “When ticks grab on to permethrin-treated clothing, they will fall off quickly rather than move around looking for a blood meal.”

Sawyer Products premium permethrin insect repellent for clothing, gear and tents

To Kill the Ticks Before They Bite

Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents

This product is a leader among anti-tick clothing treatments because of its proven 0.5 percent permethrin concentration and its unique role as an insecticide for fabric, not as a repellent for skin.

 “I used this on my back porch furniture and wow! It kept the bugs at bay, which is not easy to do here in humid, muggy Florida,” says writer Jen Sinclair.

This concentration is specifically formulated for clothing and gear, offering long-lasting effectiveness through multiple washes (up to six washes or approximately six weeks). Its ability to kill ticks before they can bite, combined with its safety for use on clothing (once the product has dried), makes it an invaluable tool for serious outdoor enthusiasts and those in high-risk insect areas.

Repel permethrin clothing repellent

For Weeks of Protection, Not Hours

Repel Permethrin Clothing and Gear Insect Repellent

Repel Permethrin Clothing and Gear Insect Repellent has an effective 0.5 percent permethrin concentration that is specifically designed to be applied to and bond with fabrics.

 Similar to Sawyer’s offering, this product functions as an insecticide, killing ticks and other insects that come into contact with treated items.
Its winning edge for gear is its reliable performance with items like tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and other outdoor equipment. This provides a crucial perimeter of protection around your campsite or outdoor setup, enhancing overall tick defense. The 0.5 percent concentration is the industry standard for consumer-level permethrin fabric treatments, ensuring efficacy without oversaturation.

 It’s effective for up to two weeks before needing reapplication, unless the gear is exposed to rain.
Royal Robbins womens flannel shirt

Barrier-Based Protection

Royal Robbins Women’s Expedition III L/S

In addition to treating your clothes, opt for clothing that doubles as barrier-based protection. This Royal Robbins shirt isn’t treated with chemicals to prevent ticks and mosquitoes; instead, the fabric is tightly woven, so insects can’t reach your skin, even if they want to. We love how the fabric also has SPF, so your skin is protected against the sun’s harmful rays. Editor Olivia Campbell found the recycled polyester shirt surprisingly lightweight and breathable, even in high temperatures. Note that it runs large; order your regular size if you prefer a looser fit, or size down for a more traditional fit.

Tick Removers and Tweezers

tick remvoers
Everyday Health
To properly remove a tick, you’ll need the right tool. Tweezers are the best option, but there are also specialized tick-removal tools on the market that get the job done just as well. Here are a couple of options we recommend.
Cliganic tweezers set

The Tool Experts Recommend

Cliganic Professional Slant and Point Tweezers Set

All the experts we spoke with say tweezers are the best tool for removing ticks. We like how this two-piece set includes slanted and pointed tweezers. The CDC recommends using fine-pointed tweezers, if possible, to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface without squeezing its body. Be sure to pull the tick away from the skin; don’t twist or jerk, as that may cause the tick’s mouth to break off into the skin.

TickCheck tick removers and ID card

The Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed

TickCheck Tick Remover Pack

With three sizes, these tick remover tools make it easy to remove ticks from humans or pets. Simply slide the remover under the tick and gently lift up (don’t twist). The three-piece set includes a storage pouch to toss in a bag and a pocket-sized tick identification card to help you identify what tick may have bitten you.

Bite Relief You’ll Always Want On Hand

Itch relief for tick bites
Everyday Health
Tick bites can leave behind several symptoms, such as itchiness, swelling, and redness.

You’ll likely want relief as quickly as possible (I know I did after finding one near my armpit; the itching just about took me out). Between a cold compress, calamine lotion, an antihistamine, and an anti-itching spray, we’ve got you covered.
Perfect Remedy 2 pack gel ice packs

To Reduce Swelling

Perfect Remedy 2-Pack Gel Ice Packs With Cover


To help reduce swelling from a tick bite, apply a cold compress for relief.

We appreciate how this two-pack includes a soft cover with a strap to prevent ice burn and keep the cold compress secure. The packs are also microwaveable, so once your tick bite is long gone, throw these in the microwave and use them as heating pads for menstrual cramps, muscle pain relief, and more.
Walgreens calamine lotion

Relieve the Itch

Walgreens Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is one of those products you always want to have on hand in your medicine cabinet. It helps relieve itchiness, pain, and other discomfort from bug bites, poison ivy, and more.

I like to use it on mosquito bites for itch relief, and my 6-year-old never complains about the application (he actually likes to see its pretty pink color on his skin). 
Benadryl allergy medicine

Tackle Multiple Symptoms

Benadryl Allergy Antihistamine

Itching, swelling, redness — an antihistamine like Benadryl can help reduce these symptoms and provide quick relief.

 

 As someone who couldn’t swallow pills until adulthood (don’t judge me), I appreciate that these tablets are less than half an inch long. Children as young as 6 years old can take this medicine, and there’s a liquid form available, too. Benadryl makes a topical antihistamine itch relief gel if you prefer that route.
Cortizone-10 fast acting itch relief spray

Spray the Itch Away

Cortizone-10 Fast Acting Itch Relief Cooling Spray

Not a fan of messy cream to get relief from bug bites? We don’t blame you. This Cortizone-10 Fast Acting Relief Cooling Spray offers mess-free topical relief from redness, swelling, itching, and other discomfort. 

The hydrocortisone spray comes out in a fine mist, allowing you to target the bite without getting it on your hands. You can even spray the bottle upside down.

How Can You Prevent Tick Bites?

All of our experts agree: Be aware and savvy about your environment. Ticks tend to hang out in tall grass or wooded areas and attach lower on the body. Dr. Arnaboldi says it’s best to walk toward the center of trails and stay out of grassy, wooded areas. In addition to using a tick repellent product, you should wear long pants and socks when hiking or gardening — physical barriers matter just as much as chemical ones.

Wesley Long, MD, PhD, medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist in Texas, recommends treating clothing with permethrin and applying topical insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin as an additional line of defense.

Just note that DEET can be toxic to pets, and permethrin is toxic to cats, so be extra careful around your fur babies.

 


How Do You Check for Ticks?

“Do a full body check,” recommends Chris Harkin, MD, an urgent care physician in Madison, Wisconsin, and Janesville, Wisconsin. “Use a mirror or a partner and carefully inspect your body. Ticks often choose warm, hidden areas.” On adults, check the scalp and hairline with a comb, behind the ears, armpits, inside the belly button, around the waist and groin, behind the knees, and between the fingers and toes. On kids, check the hair, neck, behind the ears, the waist and groin, and the back of the knees.

Dr. Harkin recommends showering within two hours of checking to wash off any unattached ticks. Plus, he says it reduces the risk of Lyme disease “when done promptly.” Don’t forget to check your clothing and gear, as ticks can survive hours to days on clothes, he adds. Put your clothes in a hot dryer for more than 10 minutes, and be sure to check your four-legged family members for ticks, too.

How Do You Properly Remove and Dispose of a Tick?

Our experts all recommend one essential tool to remove a tick: tweezers. “You want to grab the embedded mouth parts as close to the skin as possible with needle-nosed or fine-tipped tweezers,” says Dr. Long. “Grasp the mouthparts firmly with the tweezers and pull directly away from the skin at a 90-degree angle.” Don’t apply petroleum jelly, nail polish, fire, or other substances in an attempt to encourage the tick to let go, as this can only make the situation worse.

To dispose of a tick, “place it in alcohol, a sealed bag [or] container, or flush it down the toilet,” says Harkin. “You may save it in a sealed container, with date and location noted, in case illness develops.”

Arnabolidi adds that “Some providers will provide tick identification if you wish, there are some local health agencies that will as well.” The CDC recommends against blanket testing prior to developing symptoms as negative results can lead to a false sense of security.


What Diseases Are Transmitted by Ticks?

There are a variety of tick-borne illnesses in the United States:

“Different ticks tend to carry different infections, and incubation times can vary from a few days to weeks,” says Long. Lyme disease is “the most common vector-transmitted disease in North America, and is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi,” adds Arnaboldi. “However, it is far from the only one. The same ticks that transmit Lyme disease also transmit other infectious agents.” Those ticks, also known as “blacklegged ticks” or “deer ticks,” can cause other diseases, including anaplasmosis, relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease.

There’s also the Lone Star tick, which has a white spot on its back and transmits Ehrlichia chafeensis.

 “This causes ehrlichiosis, an infection similar to anaplasmosis that infects white blood cells called monocytes,” says Harkin, adding that this tick is also associated with causing a red meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome).

FAQ

What should you do after removing a tick?
First, wash the bite with soap and water. Arnaboldi recommends flushing the tick down the toilet. “If you plan to retain the tick for identification, place it in a container with rubbing alcohol,” he adds. “Whatever you do, keep it sealed. Hard-bodied ticks do not die easily, and you do not want it to escape.” Lastly, keep an eye on the area for the next week or so for any signs of infection.
You’ll likely notice the tick attached to your skin first, “sometimes with pain and itching at the bite where the tick is still attached,” says Long. It may not be noticeable at first, so it’s important to check for ticks periodically, especially if you’ve been in an area where ticks are more present, he adds.
Unfortunately, ticks are out for several months each year. “The greatest risk of blacklegged tick bites exists in spring, summer, and fall in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and mid-Atlantic regions, though adult ticks may be active any time winter temperatures are above freezing,” says Harkin.

Why Trust Everyday Health

We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. You can trust our reviews because we do the legwork for you. Read more about why you can trust us.
Katrina Cossey

Katrina Cossey

Author

Katrina Cossey is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience in broadcast and service journalism. Over her career, she’s covered topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, new...

Ross Radusky, MD

Medical Reviewer

Ross Radusky, MD, is a practicing board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Treatment and Research Center in Dallas. Originally from New York City, he graduated summa cum la...

Orlando de Guzman

Fact-Checker

Orlando de Guzman is a writer and editor with expertise in health and environmental news. He has a background in investigative and science journalism and has worked on documentary ...

Olivia Campbell

Editor

Olivia Campbell is the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women P...

Alexandra Klausner

Tester

Alexandra Klausner is a freelance health writer and editor with over 10 years of journalism experience. Prior to going freelance, she worked as a reporter and editor at the New Yor...

Jen Sinclair

Tester

Jen Sinclair Is a freelance health and wellness writer who has spent the last two years writing feature articles and reviews of mental health and medical services and products. Her...

Olivia Campbell

Tester

Olivia Campbell is the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women P...

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Tickborne Disease Surveillance Data Summary. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 15, 2024.
  2. Eisen L. Efficacy of Unregulated Minimum Risk Products to Kill and Repel Ticks. Emerging Infectious Diseases. January 2024.
  3. Is DEET Bad for You? Cleveland Clinic. June 26, 2023.
  4. Carr AL, et al. Ticks home in on body heat: A new understanding of Haller’s organ and repellent action. PLOS ONE. August 2019.
  5. DEET. United States Environmental Protection Agency. May 20, 2026.
  6. Gliniewicz A, et al. Susceptibility of Dermacentor reticulatus tick to repellents containing different active ingrediens. Przeglad Epidemiologiczny. 2019.
  7. DEET Technical Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center.
  8. Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients. United States Environmental Protection Agency. January 23, 2026.
  9. Picaridin Technical Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center.
  10. Shiau A, et al. Characterization in Effective Stimulation on the Magnitude, Gating, Frequency Dependence, and Hysteresis of INa Exerted by Picaridin (or Icaridin), a Known Insect Repellent. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. August 2022.
  11. Toxicological Profile for DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 28, 2020.
  12. Efficacy of Unregulated Minimum Risk Products to Kill and Repel Ticks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 2024.
  13. Sullivan KM, et al. Bioabsorption and effectiveness of long-lasting permethrin-treated uniforms over three months among North Carolina outdoor workers. Parasites & Vectors. January 2019.
  14. What to Do After a Tick Bite. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 15, 2025.
  15. Tick Bites. Cleveland Clinic. June 5, 2026.
  16. Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  17. Calamine Lotion. Cleveland Clinic. June 24, 2022.
  18. Bites and Stings: Insects. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  19. Antihistamines. Cleveland Clinic. July 26, 2024.
  20. Hydrocortisone (topical application route). Mayo Clinic.
  21. Pet-friendly mosquito repellents (that humans can use too). Animal Humane Society.
  22. Sutton NM, et al. Clinical effects and outcome of feline permethrin spot-on poisonings reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), London. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. January 2017.
  23. Checking for ticks. U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
  24. About Ehrlichiosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2024.