Ask MidCurrent: How Can I Protect Myself from Ticks While Fishing?

The black-legged tick (a.k.a. deer tick) transmits the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

Question: Is there a way to keep ticks off your waders? This year has been really bad in Northern California.
—Jack K., Yreka, CA (via the Ask MidCurrent form)

Answer: Fly fishing often means immersing yourself in nature—wading through rivers, hiking along brushy banks, and standing in marshy meadows. Unfortunately, these same environments are prime tick habitat. Across the United States, ticks—deer ticks (blacklegged ticks) in the East and Midwest, Lone Star ticks in the South, and wood ticks in the Rocky Mountain states—lie in wait to latch onto unwary anglers. Tick-borne diseases are nothing to sneeze at, so it’s vital that fly fishers protect themselves.

There are several kinds of tick repellents on the market. However, there are two problems with spraying anything on your waders: 1. it may adversely affect the wader materials or seams, and 2. the chemicals will wash off in the water and enter the ecosystem of the stream, which is bad. However, there are ways to keep yourself safe while also ensuring the well-being of your  expensive gear and the trout habitat.

Getting to the river often involves walking through brush and grass where ticks love to hide. Photo: Charles Hildick-Smith

Effective Tick Repellents

One of the first lines of defense against ticks is using a reliable repellent. Not all repellents are equal, and it’s important to choose ones proven to work against ticks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend several active ingredients that safely and effectively repel ticks. These fall into two broad categories: synthetic chemical repellents and plant-based (natural) repellents.

In general, EPA-registered repellents such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE/PMD), and permethrin (for clothing) have been tested and proven to reduce tick bites. “Natural” remedies outside of these (garlic pills, homemade essential oil mixes, etc.) are not EPA-approved and often lack evidence of effectiveness. So, while we discuss natural-derived options like OLE, we advise caution with untested folk remedies.

Synthetic Tick Repellents (DEET, Picaridin, Permethrin, IR3535)

DEET is the most widely used insect repellent, and it is very effective at repelling ticks and mosquitoes for long durations. You apply it to any exposed skin or on clothing, though you should avoid spraying it on breathable waterproof fabrics. DEET has an excellent track record for safety when used properly, including for children over 2 months and pregnant women.

Unfortunately, DEET is a solvent and can damage many synthetic materials. It will dissolve certain plastics, rubber, rayon, spandex, and even the coatings on fly lines. Over time, DEET can eat away at the outer coating of a fly line or the waterproof membrane of waders. Because of this, apply DEET carefully – use it on your skin or cotton clothing and keep it off expensive breathable waders, rain jackets, and gear.

Wash your hands after applying, so you don’t transfer DEET to flies, lines, or the handle of your rod. As a bonus, washing your hands also prevents the strong odor of DEET from potentially deterring fish.

Picaridin is a synthetic repellent modeled after a compound in pepper plants. It has become popular as a DEET alternative, as it is considered on par with DEET in effectiveness against ticks and mosquitoes. For fly fishers, a major advantage is that picaridin will not harm your gear or clothing, which means you can safely use it while wearing your breathable nylon or Gore-Tex waders, and if a bit gets on your fishing line or reel, it won’t melt anything. Picaridin is also nearly odorless and less oily on the skin than DEET, which many people appreciate.

That said, Picaridin is considered moderately toxic to fish and can promote algae growth. Granted, the studies that show this work with much higher concentrations than what would wash off your waders, but why put any toxins in the water if we can avoid it?

Permethrin is not a topical repellent like the others; it is a pyrethroid insecticide used to treat clothing and equipment. It doesn’t just repel ticks; it incapacitates or kills them on contact. A 0.5% permethrin treatment on fabric will both repel and kill ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes that come in contact with it. This makes permethrin-treated clothing one of the most effective measures for tick protection. For fly fishers, treating your outer clothing in advance—shirts, pants, hat, even the exterior of your fishing pack—can create a protective shield.

However, there are some important caveats:

• Never apply permethrin to your skin (it’s for fabrics only). Apply it to clothing 24–48 hours before use, so it completely dries and bonds to the fabric. Once dry, it leaves no smell or residue.
• Do not spray it on waterproof or impermeable items like breathable waders, rain jackets, or rubber boots because it won’t absorb and thus won’t be effective. It will just drip off or rinse away. Instead, treat the inner layers you wear under waders or use permethrin-treated gaiters/socks over the boot tops.
• Liquid permethrin is extremely toxic to fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects, so never apply permethrin near water and allow clothes to dry thoroughly before wearing near streams. It’s classified as highly toxic to aquatic life, so you must not allow the wet spray to get into waterways. Once it’s dried into your clothing, it binds fairly well and is not readily water-soluble, but some small amount could still eventually shed after heavy use or washing. To be safe, do not treat items like wading boots that will be submerged, and never spray permethrin directly in or near streams or rivers.
• Use permethrin on outerwear and wash treated clothes separately. Treat outer layers (shirt, pants, hat) rather than undergarments, and follow product instructions. Washing permethrin-treated clothes separately from other laundry is advised, both to preserve the treatment and to avoid any possible transfer of the chemical to other clothing.

Many experienced outdoors-people will apply permethrin to their field clothes (perhaps once per month during tick season or after a certain number of washes) and then use a skin repellent like DEET or picaridin on exposed areas for a dual defense. Remember that permethrin is a repellent/insecticide for gear, not something you apply on the fly while fishing (since you need to treat and dry the clothes ahead of time). By sticking to treating clothes at home (away from streams) and using pre-treated gear responsibly, you can minimize any ecological risk.

IR3535 (Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate) is another EPA-approved synthetic repellent found in products like Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard and some “family safe” insect repellents. IR3535 works against ticks and mosquitoes, though generally it provides a shorter duration of protection compared to DEET or picaridin.

One advantage is that IR3535 tends to be very mild on the skin; it’s often marketed for people with sensitive skin or for children. As with picaridin, IR3535 does not damage plastics or fabrics, so it’s safe to use around gear. Its environmental profile is also good, with no known issues for aquatic life. Overall, IR3535 is a reasonable option if you want a DEET alternative, but for heavy tick exposure you will likely get longer protection from picaridin or higher concentrations of DEET. Think of IR3535 as a lighter-duty repellent.

Natural and Plant-Based Repellents

Many fly fishers prefer to minimize chemicals, leading them to consider “natural” tick repellent options. Plant-based repellents use active ingredients derived from natural sources (or synthetic analogues of them) and are generally regarded as having lower toxicity. It’s important to set realistic expectations: while some natural repellents do work, most are not as long-lasting or broadly effective as the top synthetic repellents.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE / PMD) is not from lemons or eucalyptus trees, despite the name. It’s from the lemon-scented gum eucalyptus plant. Its active component, PMD, can be produced from the plant oil or synthesized. OLE/PMD provides respectable protection time of up to 6 hours against mosquitoes and ticks. You’ll need to reapply a bit more often than you would with DEET/picaridin, especially if you’ll be out all day.

For fly fishers, OLE has a few pros: it has a pleasant herbal smell, it’s not oily or greasy on gear, and it shouldn’t damage clothing or equipment. It’s also considered environmentally benign; there isn’t extensive data, but no harmful effects on aquatic organisms have been noted in the limited studies for botanicals.

Some cons to note: do not use OLE on children under 3 years old, as it can cause allergic skin reactions. Also, be careful to keep it out of your eyes, as it can cause significant eye irritation if sprayed improperly. Overall, OLE/PMD is a top “natural” choice – if you prefer a plant-based repellent, this is the one with CDC’s approval and evidence behind it. Just remember that “natural” doesn’t mean you can ignore instructions: use it as directed and reapply as needed to maintain protection.

Other Essential Oil Repellents (citronella, cedar, geranium, etc.) Apart from lemon eucalyptus, there are various sprays and DIY recipes containing essential oils like citronella, cedarwood, peppermint, geraniol (from geranium), rosemary, garlic extract, and more. While some of these oils have insect-repelling properties, none of them are reliable or long-lasting against ticks. This doesn’t mean they never work – you might get some short-term benefit – but their efficacy is inconsistent and typically of very limited duration (often just an hour or two). Approach off-the-shelf “all-natural bug sprays” carefully; many are not proven against ticks.

Additional Precautions: Smart Habits to Prevent Tick Bites

Tick Checks: The moment you’re out of the field, or even during a lull in fishing, perform a tick check on yourself. Pay attention to areas like behind your knees, around your waist, underarms, and scalp/hairline, as ticks often crawl until they find a cozy spot. It’s helpful to have a buddy check your back, or use your phone’s selfie camera to inspect hard-to-see areas. Luckily, most waders are light in color, so ticks will stand out against the fabric.

End-of-Day Protocol: After fishing, when you get home (or back to camp/lodge), don’t just flop on the couch in your fishing clothes. First, consider tossing your clothes in a hot dryer for 10-15 minutes. If you don’t have access to a dryer, put your clothes in a black garbage bag, and leave it in the sun for a few hours. Dry heat will kill any ticks on clothing.

Then take a shower as soon as you can, as showering within two hours of outdoor activity has been shown to reduce Lyme risk because it helps wash off unattached ticks and gives you a chance to thoroughly check yourself. This might not always be possible in rustic settings, but at least do a wipe-down and another tick check before bed.

Gear Storage and Inspection: Ticks can ride along on your gear. When you take off waders, do so on a hard surface if possible—parking lot or a tarp—not in the tall grass where you might pick up a last-minute tick on your sock. Give your waders and boots a once-over before chucking them in the car. At home, don’t store dirty waders in living quarters; keep them in a garage or shed. Some anglers will hang their waders in direct sun for a day, as ticks dry out and die in heat and sunlight relatively quickly. Just be careful not to degrade your gear with too much UV exposure; a few hours is fine.

Check Pets: If you bring a fishing dog along on your adventure, remember that the dog can pick up ticks and later transfer them to you or your car. Use vet-recommended tick protection for your pets and check them after the outing. It’s not the main focus for personal protection, but it’s part of the whole picture, especially if your furry fishing buddy rides home in your vehicle.

By building these habits into your fishing routine, you create multiple layers of protection. Think of it this way: repellent is one layer, treated clothing is another, careful behavior (tucking in clothes, avoiding brush) is another, and post-fishing tick checks are the final safety net. Each layer catches what the previous might miss.

UPDATE

Information provided by reader John Egbert:

“During application, do not breath any of these chemicals. Hold your breath if spraying. Second, if applying with your hands, be sure to eliminate chemicals from your palm palms and fingers. You can use hand sanitizer with alcohol then rub soil on them, and finally wipe your hands on nearby grass or dense ground vegetation. Take a little time. Finally depending on expected duration, carry the safest chemical and repeat midday. Also use the least toxic chemical, such as herbals, on your face and neck. But on a hat, go stronger. Ticks drop off overhanging vegetation as well as off vegetation you walk through.”