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Family Camping Tick Safety Checklist
A practical family camping checklist for tick prevention — what to pack, daily routines at camp, and how to check kids for ticks.
Camping with kids is a high-reward, slightly higher-risk tick situation. Build a simple routine: dress for protection, repel correctly, and check often — and your family vacation stays focused on the campfire.
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Packing list
- Permethrin-treated long pants and socks for each person.
- Age-appropriate EPA-registered repellent (check label for children's age limits).
- Fine-tipped tweezers, alcohol wipes, sealed bags, marker.
- Headlamp for evening tick checks.
Daily camp routine
- Repellent applied each morning and re-applied per label.
- Walk in the center of trails; avoid sitting directly on leaf litter.
- Mid-day quick check; full check before bed.
- Designated 'tick-check tent' or campsite ritual makes it fun for kids.
Where to check kids
- Hairline and scalp.
- Behind ears and around the neck.
- Belly button and waistband.
- Behind knees, between toes.
Key takeaways
- Permethrin-treated clothing dramatically reduces kid exposure.
- Make tick checks a 60-second ritual, not a panic event.
- Always follow label age limits on repellents.
Free: The Lone Star tick & alpha-gal survival guide
A plain-English PDF you can save on your phone before you head outside. One bite can change what you eat for life — know before you go.
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