The current risk of tick bites in Belgium is elevated, and tick season is under way. That assessment comes from TicksNet, Sciensano's monitoring programme, based on reports from recent weeks. Protection does not depend on one product: covering the skin, limiting contact with tall vegetation, checking the body and removing an attached tick quickly remain the foundation. A suitable repellent can complement those measures.
The timing matters. In its recent guide to a safe summer, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) notes that ticks are active from spring to autumn. They occur not only in forests but also in grasslands, parks and other vegetated areas. Belgium's Federal Public Service for Health also says ticks are becoming more common in Belgium and that most bites occur in private gardens.
Preventing tick bites: combine four measures
No spray provides complete protection. A practical approach combines several layers:
- Cover exposed skin. Wear long trousers and closed shoes when walking through tall grass, bushes or dense vegetation.
- Stay on paths where possible. Reduce unnecessary contact with plants during walks and gardening.
- Use a suitable repellent. Apply it only as directed on the label and only to skin that is not covered by clothing.
- Check after every outdoor activity. Inspect skin folds, behind the knees, around the waist, under the arms and along the scalp. Check children and pets as well.
A higher concentration or larger bottle is not automatically the best option. Check the label for protection time and age restrictions, and consider the destination and duration of the activity. Never apply more product or use it more often than instructed. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for young children, or when the user has sensitive skin.
Four relevant products and current prices
The prices below were checked on 17 July 2026. All four products were available from two online retailers at that time. Stock and prices can change, so each link opens the current comparison.
Care Plus Anti Teek Spray 60 ml
This spray is positioned specifically for tick protection and is based on Citriodiol. Prices ranged from €10.95 to €15.10, a difference of €4.15 for the same product. Always read the complete product information and confirm that it suits the intended user and activity.
Compare Care Plus Anti Teek Spray
Care Plus DEET 40% Anti-Insect Spray 60 ml
This compact insect-repellent spray includes ticks in its product information. Checked prices ranged from €9.74 to €14.65, a difference of €4.91. The concentration is not a reason to apply it more often; follow the amount and intervals stated on the label.
Compare Care Plus DEET 40% Spray
Care Plus DEET 50% Anti-Insect Lotion 50 ml
A lotion can be convenient when carefully treating a small, defined area of exposed skin. Prices ranged from €9.74 to €15.10, a difference of €5.36. Do not choose by percentage alone: destination, instructions and personal suitability matter just as much.
Compare Care Plus DEET 50% Lotion
Care Plus Tick Out tick remover
A tick remover does not prevent a bite, but it helps remove an attached tick promptly and in a controlled way. Current prices ranged from €3.94 to €7.75. The €3.81 difference is almost as large as the lowest price itself.
What should you do when you find a tick?
Remove an attached tick as soon as possible. The Belgian health authority advises grasping it with a suitable tool as close to the skin as possible, then pulling gently upwards without twisting or crushing it. Disinfect the area afterwards and note the date of the bite.
Monitor the area and your general health over the following month. Contact a doctor if redness persists or expands, if flu-like symptoms develop, or if you have another concern. A repellent or tick remover does not prevent or treat Lyme disease; these products only support bite avoidance and prompt removal. Report the bite through TicksNet to contribute to Belgian surveillance.
Frequently asked questions
Are ticks only a risk in forests?
No. Ticks also occur in parks, grassy spaces and gardens. Belgian public-health guidance says many bites happen in private gardens. Check yourself after gardening, playing on grass or walking through an urban park as well as after a forest hike.
Is DEET always the better repellent?
There is no universally best choice. Active ingredient, concentration, protection time, age and conditions of use differ. Compare the label and seek professional advice when unsure.
Can a spray prevent every tick bite?
No. Repellent complements protective clothing, careful behaviour and a check afterwards. Continue to inspect the body even when a product has been applied correctly.
Compare before heading outdoors
Across these four products, the combined difference between the checked offers reached €18.19. Comparing prices is worthwhile, but suitability and correct use come before the lowest price. Check current stock and prices on PharmaCompare, then follow the product label carefully.