The Best Tick-Repellent Products for Humans and Dogs

Or how to protect yourself without tucking your pants into your socks.

Summer has arrived, and with it increased risk of tick exposure. Places to watch out for include wooded areas and patches with tall grass and bushes, explains Dr. Goudarz Molaei, research scientist and director of the CAES Passive Tick Surveillance Program. It’s important to know that tick bites don’t just happen on the hiking trail. “Close to 75 percent of Lyme-disease cases have been reported from bites that occur in people’s own backyards,” Molaei explains.

There are some solid, science-backed ways to prevent the pests from latching on — as well as a couple of tools that’ll help you safely remove any that do break through your defenses. Here are the best tick-repellant products I found.

Continue reading to learn more about protecting yourself and your dogs agains ticks, written by Katherine Gillespie.

LAST UPDATED

May 27, 2025

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Katherine Gillespie

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Katherine Gillespie is a writer at the Strategist who covers travel and outdoor essentials, including gear for cycling, hiking, and enjoying time outside. She was previously an editor at Paper.

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