Spend enough time outdoors and you’re bound to hear all kinds of advice on how to keep ticks away. From garlic diets to homemade sprays, everyone seems to have a “secret weapon.” And while some of those ideas might have a shred of truth, others are just plain myths. The problem is, when it comes to tick protection, guessing doesn’t cut it — especially when tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis can have serious, even life-altering consequences.
At Gamehide, we believe tick protection shouldn’t be complicated or based on old wives’ tales. That’s why we created ElimiTick, our line of tick-repellent clothing that offers long-lasting, low-effort protection. You throw it on, head outside, and you’re covered. But just like anything, it’s important to understand how it works — and what it doesn’t do — so you can stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Let’s break down some of the most common myths around tick prevention and set the record straight.
Myth #1: “Tick sprays are just as effective as treated clothing.”
This one comes up a lot, especially from folks who are already serious about tick prevention. Permethrin fabric sprays do offer solid protection — no denying that. You spray it directly on your clothing, let it dry, and it can repel ticks for up to six washes or about six weeks. For DIY-minded folks, it’s a decent option and way better than nothing.
But here’s where ElimiTick stands apart: the insect repellent in ElimiTick gear is professionally bonded to the fibers during manufacturing using Insect Shield® technology — the same active ingredient (permethrin), but applied in a lab-controlled, EPA-registered process. The result? ElimiTick stays effective for 70+ washes — over 10 times longer than most at-home spray applications. No guessing if you sprayed enough or missed a spot. No re-treating every few weeks. Just gear that’s ready every time you need it.
Think of it this way: permethrin sprays are like hand-painting your truck. ElimiTick is a factory finish that’s built to last.
And let’s be real — for those of us who are outdoors every weekend, scouting, hunting, or doing land management, not having to constantly retreat your gear is a huge time-saver.
Myth #2: “If I eat garlic, ticks won’t bite me.”
Garlic’s great on a steak, but when it comes to tick prevention, its benefits are questionable at best. There’s no solid scientific proof that eating garlic makes you less attractive to ticks. Even if it did help a little, you’d have to consume garlic consistently and in large amounts — and even then, you’d be relying on your body odor to deter ticks. That’s a risky bet when we’re talking about parasites that can transmit long-term illnesses with a single bite.
Here’s the deal: ElimiTick doesn’t require you to change your diet or guess whether it’s working. You just wear it. The protection is baked into the gear, and it works whether you had a garlic-loaded dinner or not.
Myth #3: “I don’t need tick protection unless I’m deep in the woods.”
Ticks aren’t just hanging out in deep, dark forests. They’re in backyards, fields, parks, trails, and even your hunting cabin driveway. If there’s grass, brush, or leaf litter, there’s a chance ticks are nearby. And they don’t care if you’re hunting whitetail, turkey, shed antlers, or just clearing some brush on your property.
We’ve had customers tell us they found ticks after mowing the lawn, walking the dog, or scouting land. That’s why tick protection should be a year-round habit — not just something you think about in peak summer or backwoods situations.
ElimiTick is ideal for spring turkey season, early fall bowhunting, or even shed hunting in late winter when ticks are becoming active again. It's a smart layer of protection, no matter where you are outdoors.
Myth #4: “If I wear ElimiTick, I’m 100% protected from ticks.”
ElimiTick is a powerful tool, but it’s not a forcefield. While it drastically reduces the chance of ticks latching on — especially when you’re fully covered — it’s still important to be thorough and smart.
Here are some pro tips to maximize your protection:
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Wear ElimiTick head to toe: pants, shirt, gloves, socks, and if you can, add accessories like the ElimiTick Boot Cuff to seal off potential entry points.
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Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants. This creates a tighter barrier.
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After being outdoors, do a tick check. Focus on warm, hidden spots like behind the knees, under arms, around the waist, and behind the ears.
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Shower soon after being outside — this can help wash away any unattached ticks.
The goal is to use ElimiTick as your first line of defense — and back it up with common sense.
Myth #5: “Tick diseases aren’t that big of a deal.”
This one might be the most dangerous myth of all.
The truth is, tick-borne illnesses can have long-term impacts on your health. Lyme disease, if untreated, can lead to chronic joint pain, neurological issues, and heart problems. Other tick-borne infections can cause fatigue, memory issues, or worse. And with rising tick populations and expanding habitats, more people are at risk than ever before.
Tick protection isn’t about paranoia — it’s about prevention. With ElimiTick, you don’t have to let fear keep you from enjoying the woods. You just have to be smart and proactive.
The Bottom Line: Simplify Your Defense
There’s no shortage of advice out there when it comes to ticks. But instead of piecing together half-measures and home remedies, we believe in keeping it simple: wear ElimiTick, cover up properly, and stay vigilant.
Whether you're heading out for turkey season, hanging tree stands, or just walking the property line, ElimiTick gives you the confidence to focus on the hunt — not what’s crawling up your pant leg.
Because the best protection? It's the one that actually works — and keeps working.
Looking for a full set of ElimiTick gear?
Shop the collection here and gear up for a safer, tick-free season.