I second the permethrin treatment. Awesome, and don't need to re-apply even after washing for quite some time. Keeps the ticks off like nothing else imho. got to be deet for the skin. I use 30% bens, in a small pump that's easy to back. EMS sells the refill so you can replenish your field pump as needed. I hear this talk of the "risks of deet". it's been around and tested for something like 40 years and there is no evidence of harm (except to mosquitoes!).