Avoid Wearing in Indiana Unless You Love Ticks

Ticks are out in full force in Indiana, and if you want to avoid having them crawling all over you then you might need to change the color of your clothes when you're outside.

Growing up here in Indiana, I always played outside. I'm sure that you had a similar upbringing where you'd play outside all day and as soon as you came inside, your parents said the same thing that my parents told me. "We need to check you for ticks."
Now, tick season is upon us in Indiana. We all have heard horror stories about ticks and the effects their bites can have on us. For example, there's a potentially deadly allergy that starts with a tick bite from a tick that is found in Indiana. So how do you attempt to avoid getting bit by ticks?

Of course, you always want to protect yourself from ticks by using insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin because they are highly effective in deterring ticks. There are also some really cool and simple DIY Tick Repellents that you can try out by clicking here. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are essential; tucking pants into socks and wearing light-colored clothing can make it easier to spot ticks. Additionally, wearing closed-toe shoes and a hat can provide extra protection. If you are going to be out in grassy/wooded areas you might want to give this little hack a try to help prevent ticks from crawling all over you.

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Interestingly enough, much like with mosquitoes, the color of your clothes can actually attract and deter ticks too. So, what colors should you avoid wearing when it comes to ticks? Well, it can be a little bit of a tricky topic.

What Colors Attract and Repel Ticks?

According to the National Institutes of Health, lighter-colored clothes tend to attract ticks more than darker-colored clothes.  However, ticks are more visible and easier to detect on light clothing in comparison with dark clothing. So it's kind of a catch-22. That means, those of you who like to wear darker colors should be a little safer when it comes to ticks. You'll just want to make sure that you really look at your clothes either way to see if any ticks are crawling on there. Your best bet is to put your clothes in the dryer for 10 to 15 minutes or wash them in hot water to prevent ticks from living on them.