Tick agents and preparations

Ticks are small arachnids that can pose a health risk to humans and animals. Tick bites can lead to infection with dangerous diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. Tick activity lasts from spring until later in autumn, which is why proper protection is so important.

Tick preparations for humans - why use them?

The right tick product is a key measure to minimize the risk of being bitten by ticks. Ticks can carry pathogens that, once they enter the bloodstream, can cause serious illnesses. The most common disease after a tick bite is Lyme disease, which can lead to chronic joint pain, neurological disorders or heart problems. That's why it's important to use good tick repellents to provide the necessary protection.

What for ticks for people? Types of remedies for ticks

Various types of tick remedies are available at MILITARY.EU to inactivate or repel ticks:

• Tick repellents: repellents are chemical agents that repel ticks and other insects, preventing them from biting. Repellents are available as sprays, creams, gels or roll-ons. In repellents you'll find active ingredients such as DEET, icariidin or IR-3131, which affect the nervous system of ticks, causing them to avoid contact with surfaces coated with these agents. Repellents are easy to use and effective, although their effect is limited in time, so re-application every few hours is necessary. Repellents will work well during excursions, among other things.

• Biocides for mosquitoes: biocides not only repel ticks, but also inactivate them. Active substances, such as permethrin, paralyze ticks. Biocides are more durable, but their use requires extreme caution and avoiding contact with the skin. Biocides are used to impregnate clothing or hiking equipment.

• Natural tick repellents: natural tick repellents contain essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil or citronella oil. Their effectiveness is lower than repellents and they can cause allergic reactions.

• Ultrasonic tick devices: modern devices that emit ultrasonic sounds at a frequency that is undetectable to humans and pets, but unpleasant to ticks. Such devices are small and easy to use (they can even be clipped to a pet's collar). They are safe for skin, including children's skin and sensitive skin, as well as pregnant women. They work very well as additional protection used together with a suitable repellent.

What's best for ticks - what to look for when choosing one

The right tick product should be chosen, taking into account the following factors:

• Activity: for a long stay in the woods or at the lake, it is worth betting on more durable formulations that provide longer protection or products that are easy to reapply (for example, repellent spray).

• Skin sensitivity: people with sensitive skin should choose tick repellents with lower concentrations of the active ingredient, which can irritate the skin and cause an allergic reaction.

• Age: for children and the elderly, as well as those with sensitive skin, choose formulations with low concentrations of the active ingredient.

The way to deal with ticks: how else to protect yourself from them?

In addition to using well-selected tick products, it is worthwhile to take additional protective measures to minimize the risk of being bitten. Such measures include:

• appropriate clothing - long sleeves, long legs, socks that cover the ankle, full shoes and bright colors,

• avoid tall grasses - ticks are most often found in tall grasses and shrubs,

• inspect your skin - after each excursion or mushrooming, it's a good idea to inspect your body carefully, especially observing areas under the arms, at the groin, bends of the knees and neck.