We all know that every geocaching adventure requires proper preparations. You need your GPSr, a pen, maybe a bike, maybe a friend, but above all, you need to know where you are going. Simple park and grabs don’t require much more than a GPSr full of caches, your favorite scribble stick, and enough gas to make sure you aren’t walking home. Those of us who like to adventure a little off the beaten path need a few more supplies to make the adventure possible. Sometimes you have to break out the chest waders, other times climbing sticks may be the TOTT for your adventure. Now that the weather is warming up, one of the most important things that us “off the beaten path” cachers need to keep in mind is the tick presence in the state of Wisconsin.

Unfortunately for us, Wisconsin has one of the highest rates of tick borne diseases in the United States. While that seems like a scary thought, keep in mind that we do have a great expanse of beautiful countryside that ticks love to live in, and a great number of people in our state that love to get outside.  Of course, a lot of people in places with high concentration of ticks is going to result in quite a few cases of diseases spread by ticks. Preparation is the key to not becoming one of these statistics.

Preventing tick attachment is the key to not contracting a tick borne illness. Most diseases spread by ticks are only caused by a tick that has been attached for 36 or more hours. Finding them before they attach can be easily accomplished by wearing light colored clothing to easily spot the little parasites, and tucking in clothing, especially pants cuffs. Long sleeves, long pants, and hats all keep these little buggers from finding our skin. If the tick doesn’t have access to the skin, it can’t attach. Staying out of places that ticks prefer to live is another way of avoiding them. Tall grasses and other vegetation is a perfect place to find ticks. Using well mowed trails and only venturing into overgrowth when absolutely necessary is a good way to keep them off.

Of course, chemical repellants discourage the pesky little arachnids completely. DEET is your friend when it comes to all around biting, buzzing, and blood sucking pests of the woods. I’ve heard that most experts recommend a minimum of 30% DEET when combating ticks, and it does a pretty good job on the mosquitos as well. I am personally a fan of the 50% variety, but that’s only because the smell bothers me less than the itching or creepy crawly feeling that comes with the lesser concentrations. DEET can be applied to the skin, but does come with a little shorter working time than it’s partner repellant. Permethrin is a very effective at  repelling ticks and biting insects. It does come with a challenge that it should only be used on clothing and gear. In addition, any gear treated with permethrin should be kept away from pets as it can be toxic to animals.

If a tick should become attached, it’s a very simple remedy. Tweezers are the easiest removal tool to come by, but making sure to remove as much of the tick as possible can be challenging. Specialty tools made for removing ticks may be a staple in every Wisconsin geocacher’s bag. They are easy to use and make quick work of the little bugger that thinks they are going to get a free meal off of you. Even if all of the tick doesn’t come out, don’t worry. Most people’s skin is tough enough to push out the remaining bits without a problem. If you suspect that a tick has been attached for more than 36 hours, or if a rash develops around where a tick had attached, it is advised to see a medical professional.

Wisconsin offers a variety of places to hunt for Geocaches, and a lot of these areas come with challenges. With the proper planning and preparation, ticks don’t have to pose much of a challenge to us. Just being ready with the proper clothing, repellants, and knowledge will give us the advantage to enjoy the outdoors we love without the worries of Northwoods Hitchhikers.