Using Permethrin and Picaridin for Tick Prevention While Hunting

Stay Protected in the Kansas Outdoors

At Pipe Creek Guide Service, we spend a lot of time in the Kansas outdoors chasing big whitetails and spring gobblers. If there’s one thing every hunter should think about before heading into the field—besides making sure your gear is dialed in—it’s protecting yourself from ticks.

Ticks are simply part of hunting across Kansas and throughout the Midwest. Whether you’re tucked into a cedar thicket during deer season or posted along a field edge waiting on a gobbler to sound off, there’s always a chance you’ll cross paths with them. The good news is that staying protected is simple, and with a few smart precautions, ticks become little more than a minor nuisance.

Two of the best tools hunters can use are permethrin-treated clothing and picaridin for exposed skin.

Why Tick Protection Matters in Kansas

Kansas offers some of the best deer and turkey hunting in the country, with ideal habitat ranging from creek bottoms and hardwood draws to native grasslands and brushy shelterbelts. Unfortunately, those same areas are also excellent environments for ticks.

The most common tick species hunters may encounter in Kansas include:

American Dog Tick

This is one of the more common ticks found throughout Kansas. They’re often picked up while walking through grassy areas and field edges.

Lone Star Tick

These are very common throughout much of Kansas and the Midwest. Lone Star ticks are aggressive compared to some other species and are often found in brushy areas, timber edges, and thick cover.

Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)

While less common than Lone Star ticks in many areas of Kansas, they are still present and worth being aware of.

Brown Dog Tick

These are less likely to be encountered deep in hunting habitat, but can still be found in certain environments.

Ticks aren’t unique to Kansas either. Hunters across the Midwest—from Missouri and Nebraska to Iowa, Illinois, and beyond—deal with them every season. That’s why good tick prevention should be part of every hunter’s standard routine, no matter where they hunt.

Permethrin: Your First Line of Defense

If you’re serious about keeping ticks off during long days in the field, permethrin is one of the most effective tools available.

Permethrin is a synthetic insect repellent designed specifically for treating clothing, boots, gaiters, backpacks, and other gear. It should never be applied directly to your skin, but when used on clothing, it provides outstanding protection.

When ticks come into contact with permethrin-treated fabric, they’re repelled or neutralized quickly, often before they ever get the chance to crawl upward and find exposed skin.

How to Use Permethrin Properly

Before your hunt:

• Treat hunting pants, socks, boots, jackets, hunting vests, gloves, and hats.

Be sure to apply it outdoors in a well-ventilated area and allow treated clothing to dry completely before wearing.

Many sprays provide protection through several washes, making treatment easy to maintain throughout the season.

For hunters who spend a lot of time afield, periodically retreating clothing is well worth the effort.

Picaridin: Skin Protection That Works

While permethrin handles your clothing, picaridin is an excellent option for exposed skin.

Picaridin is a highly effective insect repellent that repels ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies without the greasy feel or strong odor that some hunters dislike.

It’s ideal for:

• Hands

• Neck

• Around boot tops

• Wrists

• Any exposed areas not covered by treated clothing

For turkey hunters, especially—who are often sitting against trees, crawling through grass, and moving through dense spring cover—picaridin provides an added layer of confidence.

One of the biggest advantages is that it won’t damage synthetic hunting gear, optics coatings, or other equipment the way some repellents can.

The Best Strategy: Use Both Together

The most effective approach is to combine both products.

Think of it as a two-layer defense system:

Layer One: Permethrin-treated clothing
Layer Two: Picaridin on exposed skin

Using both dramatically reduces your risk of encountering ticks while keeping you comfortable and focused on the hunt.

When you’re glassing a distant buck, working a gobbler, or sitting through those long Kansas golden hours, the last thing you want to think about is bugs.

Built-In Protection Options

Today, many hunters are choosing garments with insect protection already built in.

A great example is the Sitka Equinox Guard system, which features integrated insect protection designed specifically for warm-weather hunting.

This type of gear can be an excellent investment for serious turkey hunters or early-season whitetail hunters who spend extensive time in tick-heavy habitat.

Even with built-in protection, many hunters still pair these garments with picaridin for complete coverage.

Simple Field Habits That Help

Along with repellents, a few good habits can make a big difference:

Tuck Pants Into Socks or Boots

Not the most stylish look, but highly effective.

Check Yourself After the Hunt

Take a few minutes to inspect clothing and exposed skin.

Shower Soon After Returning

This helps remove any ticks that may not have attached.

Keep Hunting Clothes Separate

Avoid tossing field clothes directly onto bedroom furniture or carpet.

Don’t Let Ticks Distract From the Hunt

Ticks are simply part of being outdoors, especially across the Midwest. They shouldn’t keep anyone from enjoying world-class deer and turkey hunting.

A little preparation goes a long way.

At Pipe Creek Guide Service, we want every hunter who joins us to have an outstanding experience in the field—and that includes staying comfortable, focused, and protected while making memories in Kansas.

Book Your Kansas Hunt with Pipe Creek Guide Service

Ready to experience premier Kansas whitetail deer or turkey hunting?

Pipe Creek Guide Service offers professionally guided hunts in some of the best habitat central Kansas has to offer. Whether you're after a trophy whitetail buck or a hard-gobbling spring tom, we’re here to help make it happen.

Book your hunt today with Pipe Creek Guide Service in Minneapolis, Kansas, and experience why hunters return year after year for unforgettable Kansas adventures.