Prevention: Treat your clothes with permethrin. (I order from Amazon since you can't buy it in retail). It should last 4-6 washings. Veterinary places carry it for horses but with a different lower potency formula. Around the house, plant chrysanthemums which is the source for permetherin chemicals. Be wary, it is dangerous to cats and fatal to fish even in small doses. Low concentrations are OK for dogs and dog collars/beds. Treat your skin with Deet products. I haven't tried it but blousing your pant legs should help keep them out of your ankles. And have a partner walk through the bush ahead of you and let them pick up the majority of the ticks.