A Simple Tick-Removal Trick That Seasoned Park Rangers Swear By
When warm weather rolls in, the trails fill up, and so do the tall grasses and brush, which is exactly where ticks like to linger. For anyone who hikes, camps, or even walks their dog through wooded areas, the concern mostly revolves around how soon they’ll be affected and what to do about it.
There are the usual precautions: pants tucked into socks, long sleeves, light-colored clothes. But after spending more time in the woods than in their own kitchens, park rangers now have another trick, and it works tremendously well.
Pack It Like Sunscreen
Image via Unsplash/Andrew Ly
The idea is straightforward. Before getting back in your car or walking into your home, take out a lint roller and run it over your clothes. Focus on sleeves, pant legs, waistbands, collars, or places where ticks like to grab on. The sticky paper snags them before they burrow or hide in seams.
Ticks don’t usually bite the moment they land. They wander first. That gives you time. The roller interrupts the journey. Park rangers keep them in their packs, cars, and cabins. Some stash extras in the glove box or by the front door. It’s cheap, light, and easy to use. And it keeps you from dragging ticks into your house.
Start With Prevention
Even with the lint roller on hand, your best bet is to avoid ticks in the first place. That means planning ahead. Know the area. Spring and early summer are peak seasons. The smaller ticks (nymphs) are out then. They’re harder to see but more likely to carry disease.
Skip the tank tops and shorts and cover your skin. Long sleeves and pants help. So do hats and gaiters. Choose light colors, not because they scare ticks off, but because you’ll notice them faster. Before heading out, treat your clothes with permethrin. It’s a synthetic chemical that repels ticks and lasts through several washes. You can buy it pre-treated or spray it yourself.
Stick to the trail when you can. Ticks don’t usually wait in the middle of a well-worn path. They hang out in brush, leaves, and knee-high grasses. Walk through those areas, and you’re giving them a ride.
Do a Post-Hike Sweep
After the hike, before anything else, use the lint roller. It’s not the only step, but it gives you a head start. Once you get home, toss your hiking clothes straight into the washer. Hot water and high heat in the dryer kill ticks. Cold water won’t do the job.
Then check yourself. Look at your ankles, behind your knees, waistband, underarms, back of your neck, hairline, and behind your ears. Use a mirror or get someone to help. Ticks like warm, hidden spots. If you find one attached, use fine-tipped tweezers to pull it straight out. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Dogs pick up ticks, too. Their fur gives ticks cover. And unless you check, you may not spot them until the bug’s already feeding. Run your hands along your dog’s body slowly. Check under the collar, around the ears, between the toes, and along the belly. You can use the lint roller on your clothes first, then run it over a blanket or your dog’s harness, but don’t use it directly on their fur. That’s a job for your hands and a flea comb.
One Small Habit
The lint roller trick won’t win design awards or spark viral trends, but it’s quick, easy to remember, and effective. It doesn’t replace bug spray, proper gear, or post-hike checks, but supports them.