I’m a longtime hiker and backpacker and in addition to treating your shoes, socks, pants, shirt and hat with permethrin, I highly recommend either a light summe

I’m a longtime hiker and backpacker and in addition to treating your shoes, socks, pants, shirt and hat with permethrin, I highly recommend either a light summer weight gaiter treated with permethrin, or at the very least tucking your pants into your socks. Ticks primary (though not only path) is crawling up from your shoes or socks and crawling up your legs inside your pants. Also be sure when you treat your clothing to do so in the shade as UV will break down the wet permethrin so it’s not effective. Also let the saturated clothing dry in the shade. Do not spray near cats or aquatic life. For your exposed skin you can use Picaridin, which is much safer than DEET. DEET by the way will eat up clothing and gear it contacts. You can save $ on permethrin by buying a concentrated bottle and mixing with water in a spray bottle every time you need a new batch. Clothing treated correctly with permethrin at home is supposed to last about 6 washes / weeks.