What are some tick safety tips?

It sounds like you’ve got it covered.
A friend has used duct tape to pull them off.
I scream like a freak until my husband removes it.
I had one crawl up the leg of my yoga pants and try to drill itself into my thigh.
I did not notice until I was in the shower and tried to wipe it off.When it didn’t come off, I screamed like a freak. Hub showed up as planned.
Years ago, I had one try to bite me through a pair of leggings. It landed on my leg while I was going through the woods on horseback.They really freak me out.
The duct tape friend told me they are sometimes up in the trees. He also said that possums will eat them.It makes me like them more
For the last couple of years, we’ve used “Flicks” when we have bonfires or are outdoors for any length of time.It’s sold to be used in barns, on horses.XD
So far, no ticks.

In the trees. Oh god, I can’t cope with this.

@ANef_is_Enuf I know!

I’ll definitely try the Flicks. Thank you for the suggestions and the heebie jeebies, lol!

@ANef_is_Enuf -Don’t worry! It sounds like you’re prepared.

Sounds like you’re already doing the right things. The only other thing that I can think of would be to spray some of the Deet around where the sock and pants merge. Might help keeping them from wanting to crawl inside. Good luck

https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2013/07/100-deet-good-bug-protection-or-bad-idea

This suggests a lower concentration in the article.

It sounds like you’re handling it well. I would encourage that your first layer of undergarments (long underwear/leggings and whatever on top) be very light color and that you inspect that and your skin when you undress. Make sure to check in your hair/hairline, ears, genitals and anal regions. I would probably also use lemon eucalyptus, because it shouldn’t be harmful and may have a small added level of protection. That ticks are still on your body despite your prevention is slightly concerning.

I’ll also add that if you ever find one on your body, you should collect it and send it off for testing for lyme and co-infections (babesia, bartonella, etc.). It is FAR easier, cheaper and more accurate to test a tick than a human. Also start antibiotics promptly. I don’t recall if the current recommendations are for 2 weeks or 1 month, but don’t settle for 4–10 days of antibiotics. Lyme disease is a bitch and very hard to fight after the initial acute infection. Good luck!!

Permethrin really works. Deet does not work well if at all.

You’re already doing more than most, I think. I’d just like to add that you could consider getting vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). While Lyme disease sucks (I’ve had it), at least it is treatable if you know you have it at an early stage. Since you’re very observant, you would probably notice the tell-tale red ring around a bite. TBE is difficult to treat even if you catch it immediately.

You’re doing the right things. I would add, wear white or very light colored clothing with a simple a pattern so you can easily spot any of the buggers trying to cling to you.

I guess it’s a bad thing that my entire wardrobe is black. I’m so skeeved out. I’m going to look into the vaccine, though, I have a dr appointment tomorrow morning so it would be convenient to bring up.

Thanks guys.

Most of my suggestions have already been mentioned above. All I would add is have someone check you and you check them before you leave to go home. Clothes on, I don’t mean strip, but just a sort of buddy system. I was told they are in trees like the jelly above mentioned, but more often they hang out in the grass, and hop on your leg.

I wonder if you can spray repellent on the ground around you? Make a barrier? There are some natural ones, I don’t know how well they work. I’ve heard ticks hate lemon, I don’t know if someone mentioned that. I don’t know if that attracts bees though? I’m freaked about stinging things, they love me.

If you are under trees you could bring an umbrella/parasol or set up a canopy.

@JLeslie I can’t really do that because I don’t stay in one place, I’m working outdoors and I am alone both at work and when I get home. So having another person check me or trying to treat/barrier my surroundings aren’t options. I wish they were, though. I keep thinking I am going to have to find a designated tick removal person because if I actually get a bite there’s no way I am gonna be able to take it off myself. lol.

I lived on Seed Tick Road, supposedly we had a lot of ticks on my property, but I never saw them. The 8 years I lived there my husband and I had one tick each. One time, a man who came to do some work said there were ticks getting on him and it was freaking him out, and I was like really? They were attracted to him for some reason, I guess how bees and mosquitoes are attracted to me.