Don’t Let Ticks Ruin Your Camp: Essential Tick & Lyme Disease Advice for UK Campers

Spending time outdoors is one of the great joys of life. Whether it’s wild camping in the woods, a bushcraft weekend with your local UKSN Charter, or a self-sufficiency campout with the family, the great British countryside offers adventure, connection, and calm.

But while we’re soaking up the fresh air and forest views, there’s one tiny but potentially dangerous threat lurking in the undergrowth – ticks. These small arachnids may seem harmless, but their bite can carry a serious punch in the form of Lyme disease.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about ticks and Lyme disease in the UK – including how to avoid tick bites, what to do if one latches on, and how to protect yourself and your family during your next outdoor adventure.

Why We Need To Be Tick Aware in the UK

Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that are most active in the warmer months, typically from March to October. However, with milder winters becoming more common, tick activity can occur almost year-round in some parts of the UK. They’re found in woodlands, grassy areas, heathland, and even urban parks – basically, the same places where UKSN members love to camp, hike, and explore.

The concern isn’t the tick itself, but what it can carry. Some ticks in the UK are infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. If a tick carrying this bacteria bites you, it can pass the infection into your bloodstream.

While not every tick bite leads to Lyme disease, awareness and quick action are crucial. Lyme disease can lead to serious health issues if left untreated, including joint pain, fatigue, heart problems, and neurological issues.

The good news? With the right knowledge and preparation, you can enjoy your camping trips safely and reduce the risk significantly.

Where Are Ticks Found in the UK?

Ticks are widespread across the UK, but some areas have higher populations. Common hotspots include:

• The New Forest

• Exmoor

• The South Downs

• The Lake District

• Scottish Highlands

• The Yorkshire Moors

• Surrey Hills

• Forests in Wales and Northern Ireland

Basically, anywhere with dense vegetation, tall grass, bracken, or woodland has the potential for ticks. However, they’re also found in gardens, parks, and roadside verges, so you don’t need to be deep in the wild to encounter them.

What Do Ticks Look Like?

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures. They start off the size of a poppy seed when they haven’t fed yet. After latching on and feeding on blood, they swell up and can become as large as a baked bean.

They don’t jump or fly – instead, they wait on vegetation and latch onto passing animals or humans. You won’t feel them bite, as their saliva contains an anaesthetic. This means you might not notice until you see them or feel them while checking yourself.

Signs and Symptoms of a Tick Bite/Lyme Disease

After being bitten by a tick, you may notice:

• A small red bump, similar to a mosquito bite

• A circular rash that looks like a bullseye (not always present)

• Itching or mild irritation around the bite

However, the biggest concern is the development of symptoms related to Lyme disease. These may appear days, weeks, or even months after a tick bite. Look out for:

• A circular, expanding rash (Erythema migrans)

• Flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, fatigue)

• Muscle aches and joint pain

• Neurological symptoms in later stages (numbness, nerve pain, facial drooping)

What To Do If You Find a Tick on You

1. Remove It Promptly and Properly

Use a tick removal tool (available from most outdoor shops) or fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out steadily and slowly. Avoid twisting or crushing the tick, as this can push infected material into your body.

Never try to remove a tick using heat, petroleum jelly, essential oils, or alcohol – these methods can increase the risk of infection.

2. Clean the Area

Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area with antiseptic or soap and water. Wash your hands thoroughly.

3. Save the Tick (Optional)

If possible, place the tick in a sealed container or sandwich bag. You can take a photo or keep it in case you develop symptoms later. This can help doctors identify the tick species.

4. Monitor for Symptoms

Keep an eye on the bite site and your general health for at least three weeks. If you develop a rash, flu-like symptoms, or feel unwell, contact your GP and mention the tick bite.

How To Avoid Tick Bites While Camping

Preventing bites in the first place is always better than dealing with the aftermath. Here’s how to keep ticks at bay on your next UKSN campout or family weekend in the woods:

Dress for Protection

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers.

• Tuck trousers into socks and shirts into trousers to minimise skin exposure.

• Opt for light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot.

Use Tick Repellent

Apply an insect repellent containing DEET (at least 20%) or Icaridin to exposed skin and clothing. If using on children, follow age-appropriate guidelines.

Stick to Paths Where Possible

While bushcraft often requires off-trail movement, try to avoid brushing through long grass and undergrowth unless necessary. Staying in the centre of trails can help reduce contact with tick habitat.

Check Yourself and Others Regularly

Do a full-body tick check at least once a day, especially in the evening. Pay close attention to:

• Behind knees

• Groin area

• Armpits

• Waistline

• Neck and hairline

• Around the ears

Get a buddy to check your back and scalp, especially after time in thick vegetation.

Shower After Returning to Camp

A quick rinse or wipe-down can help remove ticks before they attach. It’s also a good opportunity to inspect your skin.

Treat Clothing and Gear

Use a permethrin spray on clothing and camping gear (but not on skin). This insecticide kills ticks on contact and can remain effective after multiple washes.

Tick Awareness for Children and Pets

Children are particularly vulnerable to tick bites as they tend to play in grass, crawl through undergrowth, and may not notice a bite. Make tick checks part of your camp routine and teach kids what to look for.

If you're camping with dogs, check them daily too. Ticks can hide under fur, around the ears, between toes, and under collars. There are tick prevention treatments available from vets, including spot-ons and collars.

Lyme Disease Treatment in the UK

If caught early, Lyme disease is usually treated successfully with a course of antibiotics. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.

If you suspect Lyme disease:

• Visit your GP and explain your outdoor activity and the tick bite.

• Mention any symptoms, even if they seem mild.

• If the bullseye rash is present, antibiotics are usually prescribed without the need for blood tests.

Late-stage Lyme disease is more difficult to treat and may require longer courses of antibiotics and further medical support.

Don’t Let Ticks Spoil Your Adventure

At UKSN, we believe that being outdoors should be empowering, enriching, and safe. Ticks are just another part of nature – not something to fear, but to respect and be aware of.

By taking simple precautions and knowing what to do if bitten, you can enjoy your camps, hikes, and wilderness training without worry. Make tick checks part of your routine, educate your family, and always keep a tick remover in your kit bag.

Whether you're wild camping solo or attending a UKSN event, staying tick aware keeps you and your community safer.

Remember: Spot it. Remove it. Report it.

Stay safe, and we’ll see you in the woods.

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Tick & Lyme Disease FAQ

What is a tick?

A tick is a small parasitic arachnid that feeds on blood and can transmit diseases like Lyme disease. They are commonly found in UK woodlands, grasslands, and parks.

Where are ticks found in the UK?

Ticks live across the UK, especially in wooded areas, heathlands, and tall grass. Popular hotspots include the New Forest, South Downs, Lake District, and Scottish Highlands.

When are ticks most active in the UK?

Ticks are most active from March to October but can be found year-round during mild weather conditions.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by infected ticks. Early treatment with antibiotics is essential to prevent serious health issues.

Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?

No, not all ticks carry Lyme disease. However, all tick bites should be treated seriously as infection cannot be identified by sight.

How can I prevent tick bites while camping or hiking?

Prevent tick bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers, using insect repellent, staying on paths, and performing daily tick checks.

What should I do if I find a tick on my skin?

Remove the tick promptly using a tick removal tool or fine tweezers, clean the bite area, and monitor for symptoms like rash or flu.

What does a tick bite look like?

A tick bite often appears as a small red bump and may develop into a bullseye rash if Lyme disease occurs.

When should I see a doctor after a tick bite?

See a GP if you develop a spreading rash, flu-like symptoms, or fatigue within weeks of a tick bite.

Can pets get ticks too?

Yes, dogs and other pets can carry ticks. Check them regularly and use vet-approved tick preventatives.

Is there a Lyme disease vaccine in the UK?

Currently, no Lyme disease vaccine is available in the UK, so prevention and early removal are vital.

What is the best way to remove a tick?

Use a specialist tick removal tool to safely pull out the tick without squeezing it, reducing infection risk.