As someone who got the Alpha-Gal allergy when I was younger, I take tick prevention VERY seriously. Here's my process:
- I douse my clothes--base layers, mid-layers, outer layers, boots, shirts, hat, everything except my facemask--with Sawyer's Permethrin spray (link HERE) the evening before I go afield and let them hang-dry.
- That lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washings, but I typically reapply after 3 weeks or 3 washings just to be safe.
- Also, make sure you don't go light on the dosing. Check the label, and load up. If you under-dose, the effectiveness is materially lower.
- THP made a video about going on a clean water mission trip with the folks from Sawyer's (linked HERE), which made me decide to always buy Sawyer's instead of the concentrate stuff that you dilute yourself, but I've used both with great success.
- I also wear some First Lite boot gaiters (link HERE) always, which I believe limits those suckers crawling up my pants legs.
- These boot gaiters are lightweight and stretchy, and they've been very durable for me--much better than the other brand I tried.
- Of course, these also get regularly doused with permethrin.
- Finally, I do a good tick-check before hopping in the shower at home.
With that regimen, I get near-100% success on tick prevention. I went this full turkey season in Tennessee without getting a single tick or chigger bite.
@catman529 did a really nice video on which spray to use (
linked HERE), and The Hunting Public also did a test on permethrin and made a video about it (
linked HERE).
For the record, none of those are affiliate links--just trying to be helpful here! Stay safe out there, folks.