Your Tanglewood Guide to a Bite-Free 4th of July Weekend

The biggest weekend of the summer is almost here, and we can’t wait to kick off the parade, the greased watermelon contest, and all the celebrations around the campground. But as anyone who spends time in the woods knows, the ticks are also out in full force right now.

We want you spending your time enjoying the fire pit and the festivities, not doing tick checks every ten minutes. Here is our straightforward guide to what actually works to keep the bugs away—including exactly what we recommend and some natural options.

Know Your Enemy: A Few Quick Tick Facts

• They don’t jump or fall from trees. Ticks "quest." They climb up tall blades of grass and wait with their little legs outstretched to brush against you as you walk by.

• They like it damp. You'll mostly find them in leaf litter and shaded, tall grass. Stick to the center of the trails.

• Speed matters. If you do find a tick, remove it right away. It takes time (often 24+ hours) for an attached tick to transmit Lyme disease.

Our Top Recommendations for Sprays

If you want the absolute best natural option for your skin, look for Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE).

• What to buy: Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Spray. It is easily found at most sporting goods stores and is the only plant-based ingredient recommended by the CDC. It's safe for your skin and lasts up to 6 hours without that sticky chemical feeling.

If you are hiking into the deep brush or just want the ultimate heavy-duty defense, you need Permethrin.

• What to buy: Sawyer Premium Permethrin Spray (usually in a yellow bottle). This is the absolute best defense, but you do not put it on your skin. You spray it on your clothes, shoes, and camp chairs, and let it dry. It actually kills ticks on contact before they can even crawl up your leg. A single treatment lasts through several washes.

Forgot your spray? Don't worry! We carry Backwoods dry insect repellent right here at the Tanglewood camp store so you can grab some before you hit the trails.

The Analog Defenses Sometimes the simplest tricks are the best ways:

• The Nerd Tuck: Tuck your pants into your socks. It's not a fashion show; it keeps them from crawling up the inside of your pant leg where you can't see them.

• The Lint Roller: Keep a sticky pet lint roller in the car or the camper. Roll it over your legs after walking through high grass to pick up tiny nymphs before they have a chance to latch on.

Stick to the center of the trails, grab some spray, and we’ll see you this weekend!