Clothing and repellent: how to protect yourself against ticks

Drei Personen waten durch einen Fluss, der durch einen Wald verläuft.

Published on: 28.11.2023Updated on: 04.07.2024

Tick bites are unpleasant and, in the worst-case scenario, can spread disease. This is why it’s important to protect yourself against ticks. Here are a few tips for effective tick protection.

Ticks are often teeny-tiny, just a few millimetres in size. However, tick bites can have major consequences. These little parasites can carry diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) – which is why protecting yourself against ticks is so important.

You should exercise particular caution when on adventures in the forest or in high grass, where you’ll come across the most ticks. They prefer lower elevations; you’ll hardly find them above 1,500 metres.

Tips for protecting yourself from tick bites

Ein Mann und zwei Frauen schauen auf eine Karte, sie stehen in einem Wald, tragen Rucksäcke und Outdoor-Bekleidung. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Cover your skin as much as possible

Ideally, don’t give the ticks any chance to bite you. The best way to do this is by avoiding exposed skin – so wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops.

Jemand stopft seine Hose in die Socken. Die Person trägt Wanderschuhe. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Tuck your trousers into your socks

When you’re in areas that could be home to ticks, you should tuck your trousers into your socks to protect vulnerable body parts like your ankles. This is particularly important when walking through tall grass or thick undergrowth.

Jemand sprüht Insektenschutzmittel an die Knöchel. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Use insect repellent

Before you go on your outdoor adventure, apply tick spray. This comes in various strengths, is dermatologically tested and is also suitable for children. It’ll generally keep ticks at bay for up to five hours.

Mit festen Schuhen schützt du auch deine Füsse vor Zecken. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Wear closed-toe shoes

In addition to long clothing, you should wear closed-toe shoes to protect yourself against ticks. Avoid wearing sandals or flip-flops in tick-infested areas and opt for closed-toe shoes with a tall shaft.

Jemand geht über steinigen Untergrund, im Vordergrund sieht man Wasser. — Photo © Ruedi Thomi

Examine your body

When you get home, examine your body for ticks: your armpits, the backs of your knees and your genitals are particularly vulnerable. You should also check your ankles carefully.

Discovering a tick bite

Even if you take tick protection seriously, a tick might still bite you. It’s important to note that these parasites are very tiny when they’ve just bitten you. So, look for these little brown insects on your body after you’ve finished your stint outdoors. Often, they’ll scrabble around to start with before they find the perfect spot on your skin. Once a tick has bitten you, the area will be slightly red and itchy, with the tick like a black spot at its centre.

What to do if you’ve got a tick bite

If a tick is embedded in your skin, you should remove it as quickly as possible. To do so, take a pair of tweezers or a tick removal card. Try to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible so you remove the head, too. Pull it out slowly in a vertical direction; don’t twist it. There’s no need for household remedies like oil or toothpaste: they don’t work. Disinfect the bite after you’ve removed the tick.

If the bite turns red over the next few days, you suffer flu-like symptoms or feel nauseous, it’s crucial that you contact your doctor.

High-risk areas for ticks in Switzerland

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) publishes a risk map flagging areas where tick bites are associated with an enhanced risk of disease (such as tick-borne encephalitis, TBE).