Ticks are tiny arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are known carriers of serious diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis. Ticks wait in grass and brush for a host to brush up against them so they can crawl onto skin and attach for feeding. This raises an important question – can ticks crawl through clothing and bite you if you are wearing long pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors?
Can ticks penetrate clothing?
The short answer is yes, ticks can potentially crawl through clothes and bite. However, the risk is lower if precautions are taken with clothing choices and application of repellents. Here are some key facts on tick behavior and clothing:
- Ticks cannot fly or jump. They crawl up vertically from low vegetation and wait for a host to brush against them.
- A tick’s tiny size enables it to potentially pass through small openings in clothing weave. Studies show deer ticks can penetrate through openings even smaller than 1 mm.
- Clothing weave density impacts ability for ticks to crawl through. Tightly woven fabrics like denim provide a better barrier than loosely knit materials.
- Ticks may find openings at clothing seams and tags, underwear waistbands, or gaps between shirt sleeves and gloves.
- Shoes with ankle socks do not fully protect legs since ticks can crawl up under fabrics. Wearing high boots offers better coverage.
While it is possible for ticks to get through some types of fabrics, taking preventative measures can greatly reduce this risk when spending time outdoors in tick habitats.
Tips for preventing tick bites through clothes
You can lower the odds of ticks crawling under clothing and biting by:
- Wearing light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily.
- Tucking pant legs into socks so ticks cannot crawl up inside.
- Applying repellent containing DEET or permethrin to clothes as an extra barrier.
- Choosing tightly woven, smooth fabrics like canvas or denim that offer fewer grasping points.
- Avoiding loose-fitting clothes where ticks can easily access skin.
- Checking for ticks immediately after being outdoors and showering soon after.
- Doing a thorough full-body tick check after potential exposure.
- Drying clothes at high heat after being outdoors to kill any ticks.
Taking steps to choose tick-protective clothing and repellents will lower the chances of ticks penetrating and attaching to bite. However, it is still important to do thorough tick checks after being in tick habitat since no preventative measure is 100% effective.
What areas are ticks most likely to bite through clothes?
If ticks do manage to crawl through clothing, there are certain areas of the body they are most likely to bite:
- Waist and stomach – Can access skin at openings between tops and pants/shorts.
- Thighs – Can crawl up inside pants, underwear, and pantyhose.
- Armpits – Crawl down inside shirts from neckline or up from waist.
- Head and neck – Can drop down inside shirt collar.
- Ankles and legs – Can crawl up inside socks or pants.
Pay close attention when checking these high-risk areas of the body for any embedded ticks after being outdoors. Also carefully check children and pets who cannot effectively brush ticks off their clothing.
What clothes offer the best protection from ticks?
You can reduce the risk of ticks crawling under clothes and biting by wearing:
- Long pants and long sleeves – Less exposed skin for ticks to access.
- Closed shoes – Boots or high-top shoes prevent ankle/leg access.
- Light colors – Easier to spot ticks on fabric.
- Smooth, tightly woven fabrics – Denim, canvas, flannel offer fewer grasp points.
- Tucking pant legs into socks – Cuts off access from feet to legs inside pants.
- Hat – Creates barrier for ticks dropping down from foliage.
Avoid wearing clothes with holes, tears, or open weaves that give ticks easy access through the fabric. Also skip loosely fitting clothes where ticks can readily reach skin.
Comparison of Clothing Types
| Clothing Type | Tick Protection Level |
|---|---|
| Denim jeans | High – Tight weave |
| Khaki pants | Medium – Looser weave |
| Yoga pants | Low – Stretchy, thin fabric |
| Flannel shirt | High – Bristly texture |
| T-shirt | Low – Light, thin fabric |
| Leather boots | High – No gaps between laces |
| Sandals | Low – Exposed skin access |
In general, smooth, snug-fitting, tightly woven fabrics offer the best barrier against tick bites when spending time outdoors.
Should clothing be treated with permethrin?
Applying the insecticide permethrin to clothing adds significant tick bite protection. Permethrin is highly effective at repelling and killing ticks on contact. Here’s how permethrin use helps:
- Kills ticks on contact before they can bite
- Repels ticks from clinging onto treated clothes
- Remains effective through several washes
- Safe for use on clothes, shoes, tents, backpacks
- Non-toxic when dry on fabric
Studies by the CDC found factory-treated permethrin clothing provided complete protection against tick bites for up to 70 washes. Field trials showed wearing permethrin-treated clothes significantly reduced tick attachment by 74-100%.
Permethrin offers excellent added barrier against ticks penetrating clothing to bite. It can be applied via sprays or purchased pre-treated on specialty apparel and gear.
Permethrin Tick Bite Prevention Tips
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Apply permethrin at least 24 hours before wearing | Don’t use directly on skin |
| Use properly in ventilated area | Don’t apply to clothing wet with sweat |
| Treat hiking boots, pants, socks, tents | Don’t spray on synthetic fabrics |
| Reapply as directed after washing | Don’t use around cats until dry |
Taking basic safety precautions enables permethrin to be a very effective tick deterrent on clothing.
Conclusion
Ticks are persistent little creatures, but smart preventative measures can significantly cut down on your risk of tick bites. While it is possible for ticks to crawl through some fabrics, choosing tightly woven, light-colored clothing taped at openings offers a good barrier. Use of repellent sprays or pre-treated permethrin gear adds even greater protection. Do thorough tick checks after potential exposure, focusing on the waist, legs, armpits and other hot spots ticks can access through clothing. Remember, vigilance and preventative clothing/repellent use helps minimize the chances of ticks getting through!