Prevention, removal, and what to do after a bite
A warm day.
Long grass.
A group enjoying the hills.
And somewhere on that hillside — something the size of a poppy seed waiting for a lift.
Ticks are a routine part of the UK countryside. Most bites cause nothing more than mild irritation. But occasionally they transmit infections such as Lyme disease.
For outdoor leaders, instructors and regular hill-goers, understanding ticks isn’t about fear.
It’s about awareness, prevention and sensible decision-making.
What exactly is a tick?
Ticks are small parasitic arachnids related to spiders and mites. In the UK the most common species is Ixodes ricinus, sometimes called the sheep or deer tick.
They live in:
• long grass
• woodland
• moorland
• bracken
• areas with deer or livestock
Ticks do not jump or fly. Instead they climb vegetation and “quest” — waiting with their front legs outstretched until a passing animal or person brushes past.
Once attached they feed slowly on blood.
A tick bite itself is painless. Many people never notice it at the time.
Why ticks matter
The concern with ticks is disease transmission.
In the UK the main one is Lyme disease, caused by bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi group.
Most tick bites do not lead to Lyme disease.
However risk increases if:
• ticks remain attached for many hours
• bites occur in high-risk areas
• early symptoms are missed
Early recognition matters because Lyme disease is usually very treatable when caught early.
Left untreated it can occasionally affect joints, the nervous system and the heart.
Prevention outdoors
The best strategy is simple: avoid ticks attaching in the first place. So don't go outside...
As outdoor professionals we often work in exactly the environments ticks prefer, so prevention becomes part of routine personal admin.
Practical steps include:
1. Clothing choices
• Wear long trousers when moving through long grass or bracken
• Tuck trousers into socks in high-risk areas
• Choose light coloured clothing so ticks are easier to see
2. Repellents
Repellents containing DEET or picaridin can reduce tick attachment when applied to skin or clothing.
These are widely recommended by public health guidance.
3. Tick checks
This is the most effective habit.
After time in tick habitat, check:
• behind knees
• groin
• waistline
• armpits
• behind ears
• scalp
Ticks often crawl for several hours before attaching.
Finding them early prevents bites altogether.
4. Group awareness
When leading groups, it is worth simply mentioning ticks during the day briefing.
A 10-second reminder:
“Quick tick check tonight before bed.”
That alone prevents many problems.
How to remove a tick
If a tick is attached, remove it as soon as possible.
The recommended method is simple.
Tick removal steps
Use fine tweezers or a tick removal tool
Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible
Pull steady and straight upward
Do not twist or crush the tick
Clean the area afterwards
Avoid traditional folk methods such as:
• petroleum jelly
• burning the tick
• alcohol soaking
These can cause the tick to regurgitate stomach contents, increasing infection risk.
Tick removal tools weigh almost nothing and are a sensible addition to any outdoor first aid kit.
What to do after a tick bite
Most bites need no treatment.
However the key step is monitoring.
Watch for symptoms over the next 30 days.
The most well-known sign of Lyme disease is the rash called Erythema migrans.
It often appears:
• 3–30 days after a bite
• slowly expanding
• sometimes with a “bullseye” appearance
But not always.
Other early symptoms may include:
• fatigue
• headache
• fever
• muscle aches
If these appear after a tick bite, medical advice should be sought.
Early antibiotic treatment is very effective.
Should you keep the tick?
Some people store removed ticks for identification.
This is generally not required in routine UK practice.
Medical decisions are usually based on:
• symptoms
• exposure history
• rash appearance
rather than testing the tick itself.
When should outdoor leaders be concerned?
Most bites resolve without issue.
However instructors should seek medical advice if:
• a typical Lyme rash develops
• flu-like illness occurs within weeks of a bite
• neurological symptoms develop later
Fortunately these situations are uncommon.
The bigger risk in the outdoors is often simply not knowing what to look for.
A practical outdoor mindset
Ticks are part of the countryside.
So are nettles.
So are midges.
The goal is not to eliminate risk — but to manage it sensibly.
For outdoor professionals the routine becomes simple:
• prevention
• quick removal
• awareness of symptoms
A small habit.
A quick check at the end of the day.
And one more way of looking after the people in your care.
Because good outdoor leadership isn’t just about navigation or judgement.
Sometimes it’s about noticing the smallest things.
References
UK Health Security Agency – Lyme disease epidemiology and prevention guidance
NHS – Lyme disease symptoms and treatment guidance
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – Lyme disease: diagnosis and management (2018, updated guidance)
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control – Tick-borne diseases in Europe
Stanek G. et al. (2012) Lyme borreliosis. The Lancet.
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