Nowadays, effective tick repellents are very affordable and are produced by the chemical industry in a wide variety. The buyer is faced with a question: what kind of product to buy and will it be effective in resisting forest ticks? Some drugs repel ticks, while others paralyze and kill them. Some can be applied to the skin, while others can only be applied to clothing; Some can be used in children, while others cannot. Let's consider the main types of anti-tick products and the TOP 10 drugs presented on store shelves, from which we will choose the best, inexpensive and effective.
What types of ticks are there and why are they dangerous?
Ticks are the largest group of arachnids. Among them there are species that are harmless to humans, such as plant parasites, such as spider mites. There are mites that are not capable of biting a person, but they provoke allergies and even asthma; they are called dust mites.
The greatest concern among people is caused by blood-sucking parasites, which they encounter every time during the warm period of the year.
Ixodid ticks are a dangerous species for humans. Common members of the family: taiga and forest ticks. These parasites are capable of carrying serious diseases: encephalitis, borreliosis (Lyme disease), and others, with which the tick infects a person through a bite.
- Encephalitis affects the brain and central nervous system and can lead to disability or even death.
- Borreliosis damages the cardiovascular, nervous and musculoskeletal systems, the possible consequences of which are nerve paralysis, headaches, chest pain, spine and joint pain.
- A less serious consequence of tick suction is inflammation at the site of the bite.
Ixodid ticks.
Where can you find ticks
Ticks, including species that feed on human blood, have a wide habitat. In Russia, the bloodsucker is most common:
- in the central European part of the country;
- in the Far East;
- in the south of Western and Eastern Siberia;
- in the Middle and Southern Urals.
Ticks can be found in many European countries, also in central Asia, on the Pacific coast and other parts of the planet. These arachnids prefer a humid, cool climate. They live in nature: in forest areas and city parks.
Ticks can be found in tall, dense grass and bushes; they do not climb high into trees. Blood-sucking species of ticks do not live in people's apartments. Parasites enter the house only when they are on the human body.
How to protect yourself from ticks
A tick bite can lead to serious consequences, so it is better to prevent it. Repellents are suitable for protection against ticks. There are also folk remedies that are less effective.
Special preparations
You can find quite a few different anti-tick medications:
- a special cream that can be applied to open, vulnerable areas of the body;
- spray for treating clothes;
- pesticides for treating items used for outdoor recreation.
Some drugs only repel bloodsuckers, others kill. Some substances should not be applied to the skin to avoid allergic reactions.
Repellent preparations consist of substances harmful to ticks. Sensing them, the parasite does not climb onto the victim. This group of products is not capable of destroying the bloodsucker. Some medications need to be reapplied throughout the walk. DEET and picaridin are common repellents. They are intended for application to both skin and clothing. You should first read the instructions and consult your doctor to rule out side effects. Examples of repellent drugs are Barrier, Off Extreme, Lesovik.
Acaricides kill ticks. Contact with these agents causes paralysis in the bloodsucker due to toxic substances. Such insecticides are not applied to the skin. They are used to treat clothes and various items. The acaricidal substance is permethrin. It is usually harmless to humans, but sometimes causes skin redness and other reactions. The substance can be sprinkled on clothing or soaked in a solution of permethrin and water. The acaricide is even introduced into the fabrics of special clothing, where it is preserved after repeated washing. Examples of acaricidal drugs: Gardex, Tornado Antiklesch and Fumitox.
There are combination preparations that provide double protection: if the special substance does not repel the tick, it will die upon contact with the treated surface.
Folk remedies
In terms of effectiveness against ticks, folk remedies are inferior to chemical ones, but they can still repel parasites. The most common means are essential oils:
- eucalyptus;
- tea tree;
- citronella;
- clove;
- lavender;
- geranium oil
Their smell is unpleasant for ticks. The oil is mixed with a small amount of water and the resulting liquid is treated with skin and clothing. You can plant the listed plants in your dacha, or spray the area with infusions of them.
It is believed that ticks cannot tolerate the odors of apple cider vinegar, onions and garlic.
Gardex line of products
Gardex is considered one of the leading manufacturers of products against ticks and other parasitic insects. The products of this company are manufactured in accordance with international safety standards. Therefore, if the rules are followed, their use is safe for human health.
The line of insect repellent products is represented by the following types:
- aerosols;
- sprays;
- concentrates.
The first two types of products are designed for personal protection. The third type of product is used to treat a summer cottage in order to eliminate ticks. One of the company's popular developments is Gardex Extreme, a tick repellent in the form of an acaricide or repellent. It is designed to treat clothing against pests. To achieve the effect, you must use it strictly in accordance with the instructions.
How to protect yourself from ticks in the country and in your home
To prevent ticks from appearing in your dacha, you need to treat the area with insecticides.
Before the onset of the warm season, in order to protect yourself from parasites, you need to remove plant debris in which they can settle. It is necessary to mow the grass periodically, because it is from this that the tick gets onto the body, clinging to the legs.
A sunny lawn is not a comfortable environment for bloodsuckers.
As an alternative option for protecting a summer cottage, a folk method may be suitable - planting plants whose smell repels parasites, or treating the area with their infusions. Such protection will be less effective compared to pesticides. Natural repellents are:
- lavender;
- sage;
- carnation;
- geranium;
- rosemary;
- thyme.
A tick rarely crawls into a house on its own. Usually it is brought in by a person who is unaware of the attached parasite. Therefore, before going home, you need to inspect your clothes. Sometimes a tick can still get into a room through a window if it is not high from the ground. To prevent this from happening:
- Screens should be installed on windows;
- trim tree branches leading to the window;
- Apply repellent to external window sills.
How to protect yourself from ticks in city parks
Many people think that they can only become victims of ticks in the forest or in the country, but this parasite is also found in city parks and squares.
- When walking in green areas, you need to wear safe clothing that covers your body as much as possible. You should not walk in tall grass, as ticks hide in it.
- Regular inspection of clothing while walking will help prevent the bloodsucker from getting on your body. You also need to examine the body upon returning home.
- An animal can also become a victim of the parasite, so after walking with your pet you should examine it too.
- You can apply special anti-tick products to your clothing. There are also preparations for animals that are applied in drops to the withers.
Have you become the prey of a tick?
Yes, it happened No, fortunately
HELP spray
When choosing a reliable tick repellent for people, many people choose Help products. This domestically produced spray is used for clothing. The process is carried out according to the same rules as the treatment of fabrics with other sprays.
According to data from the developers, the effect of the composition lasts for 15 days. However, you can reapply the product after 10 days. Or after the clothes have been in the wash.
Diethyltoluamide is included in most repellents. It repels and disorients insects, which encourages them to keep their distance from the unpleasant odor. The chemicals contained in the compound weaken the action of receptors on the antennae that respond to the aroma of lactic acid and octenol, which are so attractive to blood-sucking insects.
Most often, this substance does not cause skin irritation. But it is potentially dangerous to the eyes and mucous membranes. Therefore, after applying a drug containing Diethyltoluamide, you need to wash your hands well, and before that do not touch your face or food.
Signs of diethyltoluramide poisoning include tremors, headaches, dizziness, attacks of fatigue, tremors in the limbs, and irritation of the respiratory tract. Such symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Safe clothing for outdoor recreation
Wearing appropriate clothing for outdoor activities is the easiest way to protect yourself from ticks and prevent them from getting on your body.
- Both clothing and shoes should be as closed as possible. T-shirts and shirts must have long sleeves and a collar. All clothing buttons must be fastened. Instead of shorts, you should wear trousers. The most suitable shoes would be sneakers, boots or boots. Additionally, you can wear outerwear. The head should be covered with a hood into which the hair should be tucked.
- All clothing should fit well to the body. Sleeves and trouser legs should be tapered. The T-shirt must be tucked into the trousers. You can also tuck your trousers into your socks, since most often the tick clings to the legs.
- A special overall will provide the best protection. This option is ideal for those who go outdoors for a long time (hunting, fishing or a picnic). Special clothing against ticks has smooth fabric that bloodsuckers cannot climb onto.
- All clothing should be light and plain in color in order to notice the parasite on it in time.
Clothing as a means of protection
For the treatment of clothing against ticks to be beneficial, you need to choose the right suit for going into the forest. This simple step will provide additional protection against blood-sucking insects. So, when going outdoors, you must be guided by the following rules:
- It is important to minimize exposed areas of the body. This means that clothes should be long enough and closed, without deep cuts. Velcro or zippers are preferred as fasteners rather than buttons. The shirt or T-shirt should be tucked into the pants, and the pants into the boots.
- It is worth choosing a fairly loose suit, because an insect can bite through fabric that fits tightly to the body.
- A headdress is considered a mandatory part of equipment for going into the forest. Mites can easily become entangled in hair, and removing them from the head is much more difficult than from other areas of the skin. Therefore, you should also take care of a neat hairstyle.
- Since ticks often attack the lower part of the body from grass or bushes, it is necessary to protect the legs well up to the knees. To do this, you will need high socks made of thick fabric. For shoes, you should prefer closed sneakers or high boots.
- All equipment should be made of dense fabric or coarse weaving that insects cannot bite through. You should also give preference to light-colored clothing, as it is easier to detect ticks on them.
Even after taking all precautions, it is necessary to avoid long stays in places where the tick’s ideal habitat is located. This includes tall grass or dense bushes. And after returning from nature, it is worth examining your clothes and body for insects. And in case of a bite, you should immediately seek medical help.
A tick bite is dangerous due to the diseases carried by these insects. You can avoid dangerous situations by selecting and using available protective equipment. This complex includes clothes for walking in nature, as well as a drug that repels or eliminates insects.
What methods of protection against ticks are suitable for pregnant women and young children?
To avoid unwanted reactions to anti-tick medications, it is better for pregnant women to avoid using them. Side effects and contraindications can be found on the label and in the instructions for the product. Some gentle repellents that have been used previously and have not caused allergies can be applied to clothing. You should consult your doctor about this topic.
Pregnant women can protect themselves by getting a vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis. This vaccination is safe. It must be done before the beginning of spring, since vaccination consists of 2 doses with an interval of a month. After a year, a third dose should be taken to strengthen the immune system. Full vaccination will provide protection for 3-5 years, after which it can be repeated.
Before choosing chemicals, you need to find out the percentage of the active component they contain. For example, repellents containing less than 30% DEET are suitable for young children. There are also drugs that are contraindicated for children (this information should be on the label). Young children over one year old can also be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.
A universal and safe method of protection for everyone is to wear the correct clothing while walking. During periods of tick activity, you should avoid going out into nature or rest only in areas with the least spread of parasites. During hot weather, ticks are not active. Natural repellents can be used to repel bloodsuckers.
Review of budget acaricidal and repellent preparations for tick control
The number of insecticidal and acaricidal mite disinfectants available on the modern chemical market leaves the consumer perplexed about which drug is best to buy in order to protect themselves and their family from the scourge of the parasite. According to a customer survey, the most effective products at an inexpensive price are:
Anti-mite “Deadly force” 3 in 1
An effective killer of all types of ticks and other blood-sucking parasites. The increased concentration of its active substance guarantees a protective effect against attacks by predatory insects for up to 15 days. It is used for processing wardrobe items and then drying them. Clothes should not be worn until completely dry. Average price: from 100 rubles.
Advantages:
- lethal effect on all types of acarids;
- very minimal price;
- extended time of exposure to the drug.
Flaws:
- there is some dose of toxicity;
- highly flammable.
DETA -WOCCO
The formula for this high-quality and inexpensive product was developed by disinfection scientists for more than 10 years, until finally the formulation of this repellent became perfect, providing reliable protection against all types of blood-sucking parasites. Contains a selection of essential substances that enhance the repellent effect on ticks. The period of the protective function lasts up to 25 days. Average price: from 135 rubles.
Advantages:
- long period of protective effect;
- low price for the product;
- pleasant smell of the substance.
Flaws:
- unacceptable use for children and women preparing to become mothers, breastfeeding.
DEFI - TAIGA
The formula of this insectoacaricide, available in the form of an aerosol, balm, gel and chemical pencil, has a repellent effect, effectively protecting bloodsucker acarids from bites. Method of application: externally on existing clothing, avoiding contact of the drug with the inner layer of the walls of the hollow organs of the digestive, respiratory and genitourinary systems. Average price: from 175 rubles.
Advantages:
- effective action;
- budget price.
Flaws:
- the possibility of resonance in the form of an allergic rash;
- Strong smell.
MOSKILLE
The protective effect of this drug lasts up to five days, causing ticks to crawl in the opposite direction. Apply it to open areas of the body and existing clothing, avoiding contact with mucous membranes. Average price: from 160 rubles.
Advantages:
- affordable price;
- long-term deterrent effect.
Flaws:
- allergic manifestations;
- slight toxicity of the drug.
Reftamid Maximum
A repellent spray formula designed to repel bloodsucking acarids of the following types: forest, steppe, taiga, with a protective effect cycle of up to 5 hours when applied to the skin and up to 4 days when covering wardrobe items with the chemical. Average price: from 150 rubles.
Advantages:
- long exposure;
- affordable prices for products.
Flaws:
- minor toxicity;
- possibility of insect allergy.
Mite Kaput
A repellent-acaricidal drug that is quite effective against all types of ticks. Treatment occurs only on items of clothing, avoiding contact of the substance with the skin. The treated wardrobe is dried for 1-3 hours. It is not permissible to etch it on the person himself or to put it on until it has completely dried. Average price: from 135 rubles.
Advantages:
- maintaining the effectiveness of the effect for up to 8 days;
- scaring away other bloodsuckers;
- low price.
Flaws:
- very toxic;
- flammable.
