The Tick-Smart Field Guide

Outdoor liberation isn’t about hiding from nature, it’s about knowing how to move through it.

Phase 1: Pre-Trail Preparation

  • Layer for Visibility: Choose light-colored clothing. It makes tiny hitchhikers much easier to spot before they find skin.
  • The "Pro-Tuck": Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your waistband. This creates a simple physical dead-end for ticks.
  • Apply Your Botanical Shield: Use PureGard Botanical Repellent. Our Health Canada-registered formula uses refined OLE/PMD to provide lab-tested protection from ticks for up to 5 hours.
  • Pack Your Response Kit: Ensure your bag includes the PureGard Bite-Relief-Bag™, featuring Evict-A-Tick: Lifter (tick remover tool) Calm-The-Itch patches for immediate action, and sticky roller to catch loose ticks before they latch.

Phase 2: On-Trail Habits

  • Stay Center-Path: Ticks "quest" on the edges of tall grass and low shrubs. Walking the center of the trail keeps you out of reach.
  • The "Mid-Way" Scan:
    Perform a quick visual check every hour. Use the sticky roller (from your Bite-Relief-Bag) over your clothing to easily catch and remove loose ticks before they find a way to your skin; it’s much easier to roll them away now than to remove a latched one later.
  • Respect the Route: Staying on marked trails protects your family and the delicate waterways we share.

Phase 3: The Post-Adventure Routine

  • The 10-Minute Spin: Ticks can survive a wash cycle, but they can't handle the dry heat. Toss outdoor clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to eliminate hidden hitchhikers.
  • The Shower Scan: A post-hike shower washes off unattached ticks. Use this time for a "Hot Spot" check: behind ears, under arms, and behind knees.
  • The Dog Check: Use a fine-tooth comb on your pets, paying close attention to paws, ears, and under collars.

Phase 4: Immediate Response (If You Find a Tick)

  • Precision Removal: Use your PureGard Evict-A-Tick tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and follow the directions on the packaging of the tool closely.
  • Protect the Site: Disinfect the area immediately. Apply a PureGard Calm-the-Itch Patch to keep the area clean and prevent scratching.
  • Identify & Track: Put tick inside vial (included in your Bite-Relief-Bag), and note the date for testing.
  • Monitor: Watch for any flu-like symptoms or a spreading rash. If concerned, you’ll have your tick and date ready for the testing center.