The Arc’s All-species All-natural Insect HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Repellant. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE USE OF ROSE GERANIUM OIL ON YOUR LEGS AND PANTS which, when diluted 1:10 with rubbing alcohol and put in a glass spray bottle (easily obtainable online), has proved to be an excellent deterrent.

A Special Note on Ticks. It is wise to minimize exposure to ticks since several species can carry diseases. We always recommend a good tick check at night before or after showering.

Hikers should be aware that from July-September, hikers can be exposed to explosive hatches of tiny newborn ticks that are hard to remove simply because of their size and their numbers if you happen to encounter a hatch. In mid and late summer, insect repellant is always recommended whether you are in the forest or in open meadows. Be sure to stay strictly on the trail. Going off-trail will increase exposure to ticks and chiggers by many magnitudes. Here at the Arc, when we are traveling through regions where small ticks are a possibility, we recommend cleaning off your clothes and/or bare legs with a lint-roller. This simple tool is very effective.

Your choice of clothing is less important than keeping alert to “sensing” the movement of ticks on your skin, and applying an effect repellant.

Tick Diseases. The key to addressing tick-borne Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme’s disease risks is to be aware of symptoms and demand proper diagnostic tests if you suspect the disease. Both diseases are treatable if detected early, so it is wise to be proactive in your health care.

Here are some symptoms to remember, which tend to be flu-like. In addition, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever usually results in rashes.

• Pain areas: in the joints or muscles

• Whole body: fatigue, fever, or malaise

• Joints: stiffness or swelling

• Also common: the appearance of large red blotches, sometimes with a bulls-eye pattern,

• Headache

• Palsy

A Special Note on Chiggers.

Chiggers peak in July and August, and are much more numerous in fields then in forests, but can be found in both. Staying on the trail is absolutely essential to minimize contact. For some reason, chiggers (and in some cases ticks) have especially high populations at Samson-Obrist, Plum Run, and Kamama Preserves.

Chigger bites are very annoying if numerous, and are itchy for about a week in most people, but are not dangerous. The best way to minimize or better yet, completely avoid chigger exposure is to stay on the trail and spray your lower extremities (see our recommended rose geranium oil concoction which can go directly on your skin.). Perhaps, ironically, we have found that open-toed sandals attract less chiggers than socks and shoes. Chiggers love to bury in tight places between skin and clothing. Bare legs can also deter ticks because you can easily feel them crawling up your legs, as well as visually see them and more easily send them on their way. 

We are not necessarily recommending shorts and sandals during the day, but if you enjoy wearing them, consider doing so and spraying yourself lightly with diluted rose geranium oil (see above). You will likely fare better than your less scantily dressed colleagues because chiggers dive into places between skin and fabric, including socks. After an outing in the field, regardless of your dress and use of repellants, to minimize chigger bites, wash vigorously with a washcloth and soap and make a visual check. If you have good eyes and you get to the task fast enough, you can even see chiggers as very tiny dark dots on your skin that can be scratched off.