Ticks are active from 7°C: identification, risk areas and best practices when camping
That's it. Temperatures are rising, hibernation is in its final stages, and so is that of a small arachnid that most hikers underestimate until the day they find one firmly attached to their skin: the tick. Discreet, patient, and potentially dangerous, it becomes active as soon as the temperature rises above 7°C. In all our regions, March officially marks its return: if you're heading into the woods this month, you need to know what to expect.
Recognizing a tick
The tick is not an insect: it is an arachnid, like a spider, and it measures between 1 and 3 millimeters when unfed, making it difficult to spot with the naked eye. Its body is oval, brown to reddish-brown, wingless, and antennaeless. Engorged with blood, it can reach 1 centimeter in length and take on a distinctive bluish-gray color. In Europe, the most common species is Ixodes ricinus , commonly known as the "sheep tick" or "forest tick." It is primarily responsible for the transmission of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. It lives in tall grass, ferns, damp undergrowth, and forest edges. It doesn't jump or fly: it waits, motionless on a blade of grass or a leaf, and latches onto a passing host. Silent, invisible, and unfortunately effective.
Areas at risk in March
All areas with low vegetation are affected: tall grass, ferns, brambles, nettles, wetlands, forest edges, and paths. The Belgian Ardennes, the Vosges Mountains, the German Black Forest, the Flanders Massif, and the Luxembourg forests are among the areas most affected in March. Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not fall from trees: they rarely climb higher than one meter. Therefore, they are most often found on the legs, calves, knees, and groin after an outing. But they migrate. An undetected tick can move around the body for several hours before biting.
Prevention is better than cure.
Prevention is your first line of defense. Wear protective clothing: long pants tucked into socks, long sleeves, and a closed collar. Light colors make it easier to spot ticks moving on the fabric. Apply a repellent containing DEET, such asCare Plus Anti-Tick or icaridin, to exposed areas: ankles, calves, wrists, and the back of the neck. These products significantly reduce the risk of a bite. Reapply every 4 to 6 hours if you sweat.
When camping, avoid placing your bag or clothes directly on tall grass. Set up your tarp or tent on clear ground. And always, upon returning to camp or at the end of the day, perform a thorough body check. Ticks prefer to attach themselves behind the knees, in the groin, under the armpits, in the crook of the elbow, behind the ears, and on the scalp. Why? For the same reason you love snuggling under your duvet: it's warm and, generally, no one bothers you. Also important: check your camping companions and any pets you have with you. Ticks don't discriminate... as long as they're edible.
Removing a tick while camping: the right way to do it
Found one attached? Don't panic. The risk of Lyme disease transmission is low in the first few hours after a bite. The faster you act, the better. The right tool? Tick tweezers . These small, pen-shaped plastic tweezers allow you to remove a tick easily and without any special techniques. Slide the two heads of the tweezers under the tick as close to the skin as possible (never on its abdomen or back), press the button, and release it gently: the mechanism pulls upwards without crushing or twisting the tick abruptly. The goal is to remove the entire tick, including its mouthparts.
What you should never do : never crush the tick with your fingers, never suffocate it with petroleum jelly, alcohol, or oil, and never burn it. Thinking you're doing the right thing, you're actually causing stress to the tick and increasing the risk of it regurgitating, which is a source of pathogen transmission. You must remove it "without it realizing it," otherwise, the situation becomes more critical for you.
Once removed, disinfect the area with an antiseptic. Note the date and location of the bite in your logbook; a simple step that can make all the difference.
Monitor the following days
Lyme disease manifests in 70 to 80% of cases as erythema migrans: a ring-shaped rash that gradually spreads around the bite site, appearing between 3 and 30 days later. If you observe this sign, consult a doctor immediately and mention the tick bite. Other symptoms may appear: intense fatigue, fever, joint or muscle pain, and headaches. Without treatment, Lyme disease can progress to serious chronic forms. Prompt diagnosis is essential.
In your bivouac first aid kit
Always carry two tick removers , an antiseptic (such as povidone-iodine, Hibidil, or Octenisept), and a marker to mark any redness and track its development. Note the date of each bite. Simple, lightweight, and essential. Ticks shouldn't scare you; they should make you vigilant. An informed, well-equipped, and methodical bushcrafter drastically reduces their risk. Head out in March and enjoy the awakening forest, but make post-trip inspection as natural a reflex as packing up your tarp. At WildTactic, field safety starts with taking the right steps!