If You Spend Any Time Outdoors, You’ll Probably Want A Tick Remover On Hand

When enjoying the outdoors, the last thing you want to worry about is ticks . According to the state of Alaska’s Division of Environment Health , these tiny, eight-legged crawlers are notably hard to spot. They’re tear-drop shaped, ranging from the size of a grain of salt to an apple seed, though they swell up when they’re feeding. Primarily, ticks live in wooded areas, yards and low-growing grasslands and can cause general discomfort and serious health issues to humans and pets alike.

While ticks transmit Lyme disease , it’s important to know that not all carry the bacteria. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine , ticks infected with Lyme is area-dependent and can span from less than 1% to more than 50% of the population. Jonhs Hopkins recommend researching your area (or areas you’ll be traveling) to get the most accurate info. The CDC has an interactive map of Lyme disease rates in the US (and some other great online resources for education and support .)

If you know you’re going to be in areas with ticks, Matthew Aardema , an assistant professor of biology at Montclair State University recommends taking proper accommodations before you go outside. Wear lighter colors (which make ticks easier to see), tuck pants into socks and shirts into waistband and make sure you have a good bug spray. You should also consider treating your clothes, shoes and gear with a spray that contains 0.5% permethrin .

You also want to make sure to check yourself, your kiddos and your pets when spending time outdoors, making sure you get your scalp, behind your ears, armpits, groin, belly button and behind your knees. And hop in the shower after a hike or camping trip, to further ensure they’re off.

“A tick searching for a place to bite is much easier to remove than a tick that has already started feeding,” Aardema previously told HuffPost. “So check for ticks frequently during hikes or whenever spending an extended amount of time outdoors.”

Of course, if you do spot one of these critters on your body, you’ll want to remove it as quick as you can, especially before it starts feeding. To help you push these parasites, we rounded up some highly rated tick removers to keep on your while you’re enjoying the outdoors.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.