Tick Prevention for Mushroom Hunting: Stay Safe in the Woods

Depending on the type you're looking for, mushroom hunting can take you into rough and wooded terrains. Ticks are a common pest in areas where people look for mushrooms. Because of this, it is important to take the proper steps to make sure you are protected from ticks and potentially harmful tick bites.

Things You'll Need

• Proper clothing
• DEET insect spray (available at most stores and online)

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Instructions

• 1

  Dress properly to help prevent ticks from becoming attached to your body. Wear long pants tucked into your socks and a long-sleeved shirt tucked into your pants -- both items light-colored. Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to see any ticks crawling around on you. And wearing long clothing that's properly tucked in eliminates access to the skin, where ticks can attach to humans.

• 2

  Apply a proper insecticide to your skin and clothing to repel ticks. Pick a tick repellent that contains DEET for maximum protection. Spray the repellent evenly over your body and clothing, making sure not to miss any spots. Be sure to spray any exposed skin like the back of your neck.

• 3

  Spray DEET repellent on bags, backpacks and other equipment used during mushroom hunting. This makes sure ticks do not become attached to your equipment.

• 4

  Check for ticks when you finish mushroom hunting. Make sure they are not attached to your clothing, scalp or the equipment you brought with you. Doing this will ensure you do not carry any ticks into your home.