Ticks are getting worse. Here's what I've learned.
We back up to woods in northeast Ohio. Ticks are just part of life out here, not something you deal with on a camping trip once a year. I've pulled them off my kids and off myself more times than I can count. Over the years I've read a lot, tried a lot of stuff that didn't work, and a few things that did. This site is where I put down what actually held up.
It got more personal a few years ago when my wife was diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome after a tick bite. She can't eat red meat or much of anything that comes from a mammal anymore, and it took a long time and a lot of confused doctor visits before anyone connected the dots. That experience is a big part of why this site exists. I'd rather other families catch this stuff early than go through what we went through figuring it out.
Nothing here is medical advice. When something involves your health or your family's health, talk to a doctor. For the practical day-to-day stuff, I hope this saves you some time.
About Ticks
- Tick SpeciesIdentify the six main ticks in the US and what each one carries
- Life CycleEgg, larva, nymph, adult, and why mice matter more than deer
- Tick SeasonMonth-by-month risk levels and how it differs by region
Prevention
- ClothingWhat to wear and why permethrin-treated gear is worth it
- RepellentsDEET, Picaridin, OLE, and IR3535 compared
- Tick ChecksThe single most protective habit, done properly
- Avoiding HabitatWhere ticks actually concentrate outdoors
- Pet PreventionWhat actually works for dogs and cats
- MythsPopular ideas that don't hold up to the evidence
DIY Sprays
- Spray BasicsWhich essential oils actually have research behind them
- Skin Spray RecipeCedarwood, geranium, lemongrass, citronella
- Clothing Spray RecipeAlcohol-based, for fabric only
- Witch Hazel RecipeA gentler option for older kids
- Dog Spray RecipeVet-checked ingredients, never use on cats
Your Yard
- LandscapingMowing, barriers, plants, and yard layout
- Tick TubesTargeting the mice, not the ticks directly
- Natural Yard SpraysCedar oil, neem oil, and garlic spray
- Diatomaceous EarthReal, but only in dry sheltered spots
- Testing Your YardThe tick drag method, done at home
- Chemical TreatmentBifenthrin and permethrin, professional vs DIY
Killing Ticks
- AcaricidesWhat actually kills ticks outright, with real numbers
- Kill vs Bites ResearchThe surprising study that changed how I think about yard treatment
- Four-Poster StationsTreating deer directly, and why it's not a backyard option
- Comparison TableEvery method side by side
Got a Bite?
- Removal StepsHow to get it out correctly, right now
- Tick TestingWhat to do with the tick after you save it
- Antibiotics QuestionWhen the single-dose doxycycline option applies
- Symptoms to WatchWhat to monitor over the following weeks
- DiseasesLyme, RMSF, alpha-gal, Powassan, babesiosis, and more
- The VaccineWhere the new Lyme vaccine stands
Specific Situations
- Kids and BabiesWhat's actually safe to use, and at what age
- PregnancyWhat's actually known, and what to do right away
- Northeast OhioWhat's actually in our backyard, where I live
- Hunters and HikersTree stands, turkey season, deer season, multi-day trips
News
- By the NumbersHow big this problem actually is
- HHS AnnouncementThe May 2026 federal initiative
- Kay Hagan ActThe legislation behind federal tick research
- Alpha-Gal CrisisWhy it's underdiagnosed and growing
- Range ExpansionWhere ticks are spreading next
- Diagnostic GapWhy the real numbers are likely higher
- Data SourcesPrimary sources if you want to go deeper