If you have been spending time outdoors this spring, hiking, gardening, or watching the kids play in the yard, there is something worth knowing: tick season is getting longer, and the ticks are getting bolder.
Tick bites are trending up across the country, and the Midwest is firmly in their path. This is not a coastal problem anymore. It is a backyard, garden, and trail problem, and it starts earlier in spring than it used to.
Why tick season is longer than ever
The short answer: our winters are not cold enough anymore. Milder winters and humid summers have created ideal conditions for tick populations, stretching their active season well beyond the traditional summer months. Even snow works in their favor, since ticks shelter beneath it like a blanket. That means the window for simple outdoor care routines runs from early spring through fall.
Ticks Are Everywhere
Ticks are not a distant concern no matter where you live. They are in backyards, gardens, and along trails in every region of the country, and their ranges keep expanding. Here in Kansas, for example, several tick species are established and lone star ticks are especially widespread. If you spend time outdoors anywhere, a simple tick care routine is just part of life now.
What to know about alpha-gal
There is also growing awareness of alpha-gal syndrome, a food allergy that can develop after a tick bite. We hear about it more and more from customers. The best protection is the same story it always is: fewer tick bites, period. That is why a simple daily routine matters so much. If you or someone you know has unexplained food reactions, talk to a doctor and ask specifically about alpha-gal.
What nature gets right: plant-based repellents
Here is the good news. Researchers have put serious work into plant-derived alternatives to synthetic repellents, and the results are genuinely encouraging. Certain essential oils have shown real, measurable repellent activity against ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers. The key is the right combination of oils, in the right concentration, formulated to actually stay on skin and do their job.
That is exactly how our insect repellent line is built. Our Natural Insect Repellent Goat Milk Soap is formulated with a blend of nine essential oils chosen for their ability to help repel insects naturally, with no DEET and no synthetic chemicals. And our Insect Repelling Lotion Stick delivers that same plant-based protection in a smooth, swipe-on solid that is easy to apply anywhere: no spray mist, no mess.
The shower strategy that pulls double duty
Health experts recommend showering within two hours of coming in from outside. Ticks often crawl on skin for hours before attaching, and a good scrub-down catches them first.
Here on our farm in Kansas, spring and summer mean we are outside every single day. We do not think twice about it anymore: our Insect Repellent Goat Milk Soap is simply our daily soap during tick season. Every shower becomes part of the routine. You get the benefits of nine essential oils while you cleanse, and the raw goat milk base means you are moisturizing at the same time, not stripping skin the way harsh conventional soaps can. No extra steps, no extra products.
The stick that started with our own kids
For families, campers, hikers, fishermen, golfers, really anyone spending real time outdoors, our Insect Repelling Lotion Stick is the one we reach for. It glides on like a lotion: smooth, easy, no spray, no mess. The solid stick format lets you apply it exactly where you need it: arms, ankles, neck.
We created this product when our own kids were younger and working at a local apple orchard. They were coming home with ticks every single day. Once they started using our insect repellent line consistently, we noticed a real difference. That is the reason we made it, and we continue to hear the same from customers. Kids can wear it comfortably, and you get skin-nourishing care plus plant-based protection in a simple swipe.
Your tick season checklist
Before you go: apply natural repellent to exposed skin, wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot, and tuck pants into socks in grassy or wooded areas.
When you come in: do a thorough tick check, paying special attention to behind the knees, around the waist, under the arms, and along the scalp. Then shower and put that shower to work.
If you find a tick: use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible, pull straight outward with steady pressure, then clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Around your yard: keep lawn edges clear of wooded areas, remove dead leaves and overgrown shrubs along the perimeter, and consider planting lavender, rosemary, or marigolds around the edges.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use your insect repellent products on children? Our Insect Repelling Lotion Stick is a family-friendly everyday essential made with plant-based essential oils and no DEET or synthetic chemicals. As with any new product, test on a small area of skin first. For very young children, check with your pediatrician before use.
How often should I reapply the Insect Repelling Lotion Stick? Reapply as needed, especially after sweating, swimming, or extended outdoor activity. A little goes a long way. One or two swipes on exposed skin is usually enough for shorter outings.
From our farm to your family
At Madd House Hill, we have been handcrafting all-natural goat milk skincare for 10 years on our farm in Kansas. We live this life every day: outdoors, on the farm, with our animals and our family. Every product starts with nourishing plant oils and butters, pure essential oils, and nothing synthetic. It is the way we take care of our own family, and it is the way we take care of yours.
Ready to build your tick season routine? Shop our Insect Repellent Goat Milk Soap and shop our Insect Repelling Lotion Stick, or browse the full Insect Repellent collection.