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I started hiking to stay active, but I’m nervous about ticks. I was looking for a spray to keep the pests away, but there are so many out there! What do you recommend that really works?

Unfortunately, as the weather warms and we want to spend more time outdoors, Lyme disease– carrying ticks also become more active—and being in wooded areas can increase your risk of a bite. The good news? I can suggest a few effective strategies to help you avoid ticks.

Before your hike, spray your clothes with a .5% permethrin solution, like Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellent (Walmart.com). It’s made specifically for fabric and is one of the most effective tick deterrents out there: Researchers at the University of Rhode Island found that folks who wore shoes and socks treated with permethrin were 74 times less likely to get a tick bite.

If you’d prefer a natural approach, you can make a repellent using rose geranium and cedarwood essential oils. Research in the journal Environmental Entomology found that cedarwood oil killed 100% of ticks on contact, and multiple studies have shown that rose geranium repels ticks and mosquitoes. To do: Mix 25 drops each of cedarwood and rose geranium essential oil with 3 oz. of water in a spray bottle, then shake and spray on skin and clothes. If weather allows, I suggest wearing pants and long sleeves while hiking. But if it’s too hot to cover up, opt for light-colored clothing that will make it easier to spot ticks.

It’s also key to do self-checks when you return home. Since ticks need to be attached to skin for about 24 hours to transmit disease, removing them as soon as possible will help you avoid illness. Find tick removal instructions at CDC.gov/ticks.