Ticks' Question

[2disneyboys]

I posted a similar message on the Camping boards a day or so ago and only got 1 reply so I figured I'd try posting something here to see if I get more resonses.

We love to spend time outdoors year round here on the east coast. Hiking, biking, camping, visiting parks, etc. (sometimes we are more bundled up than others, but thankfully there are very few times that we cant be outside in our area) I've noticed already this year, TICKS seem to be a much bigger problem then they usually are (here). In fact, my youngest son (8 years old) has just been diagnosed w/ Lime Disease and is now on antibotics for treatment. (we never picked a tick off of him, but he got the classic bullseye rash so we took him to his dr. who ruled out other possibilites) (theres more details there but no point in going into them as thats not my question)

my question is...what do you do/use to help protect your family from tick exposures. I know it's virtually impossible to completely protect your family, but we always wear long pants etc (particularly when hiking in the woods) and use tick repellant and that does not seem to be helping. I don't want to stop being outdoors, but would be interested in knowing what other people do or use to help w/ the tick problem if there is one in your area.

Thanks for your help!

Sherry

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I posted a similar message on the Camping boards a day or so ago and only got 1 reply so I figured I'd try posting something here to see if I get more resonses.

We love to spend time outdoors year round here on the east coast. Hiking, biking, camping, visiting parks, etc. (sometimes we are more bundled up than others, but thankfully there are very few times that we cant be outside in our area) I've noticed already this year, TICKS seem to be a much bigger problem then they usually are (here). In fact, my youngest son (8 years old) has just been diagnosed w/ Lime Disease and is now on antibotics for treatment. (we never picked a tick off of him, but he got the classic bullseye rash so we took him to his dr. who ruled out other possibilites) (theres more details there but no point in going into them as thats not my question)

my question is...what do you do/use to help protect your family from tick exposures. I know it's virtually impossible to completely protect your family, but we always wear long pants etc (particularly when hiking in the woods) and use tick repellant and that does not seem to be helping. I don't want to stop being outdoors, but would be interested in knowing what other people do or use to help w/ the tick problem if there is one in your area.

Thanks for your help!

Sherry

The tried ad true method is for you and someone else to check you over after a day of hiking.

Getting a tick off before 24hrs reduces the chance of transmission, or that is the general rule of thumb.

One of my dogs contracted ehrlichiosis from a tick bite this yr. People can get it to.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ticks are, now, absolutely epidemic!
If they are just now getting bad in your area, this year, consider yourself lucky.

They are there... Can't really avoid them.

My husband often works outdoors.
He actually tapes his pant legs completely closed...
He uses what some might be considered dangerous heavy-duty prof. strength chemicals.... etc....

He still enounters ticks, and plenty of them!

His employer requires regular screenings for tick-borne diseases.

As the prev. poster just said....
The key is to do complete tick-checks often.
Change, down to complete butt-naked...

I think it is usually a while before the ticks will actually burrow.

Wearing white or very light colored clothing will also serve to make any ticks very visible right away.

 

[2disneyboys]

Thanks for the suggestions.
yea, ticks have been a problem already this year.. we have noticed more than normal for a while now. We normally do the body check (my oldest son (11) HATES having to show any skin to DH or I but someone has to check those spots he can't see!)

never thought of taping the pant legs shut.. that's a good thought! we normally do boots/shoes, longer socks and long pants and spray repellant at the openings

Do you guys treat your yard w/ anything? we have about a 1 acre lot (in the city) but I have to consantly check my 2 dogs to make sure they are not bringing any stragglers into the house!

I love being in nature, but the "bugs and critters" do take some of the fun out of the adventure.

 

[golfgal]

The cool spring has been a boon for woodticks. As far as picking ticks off people, yes, woodticks are easy to see and take care of but DEER TICKS, that cause lyme disease are the size of a pin point and you can't see them like you do woodticks, thus the issue.

We use 3M's Ultrathon bug repellant. It is kind of greasy but it sure works for all kinds of bugs-gnats, biting flies, ticks, etc. It was developed for the military to use in the jungle and it REALLY works.

 

[2disneyboys]

The cool spring has been a boon for woodticks. As far as picking ticks off people, yes, woodticks are easy to see and take care of but DEER TICKS, that cause lyme disease are the size of a pin point and you can't see them like you do woodticks, thus the issue.

We use 3M's Ultrathon bug repellant. It is kind of greasy but it sure works for all kinds of bugs-gnats, biting flies, ticks, etc. It was developed for the military to use in the jungle and it REALLY works.

THANKs for this.. I'll have to look into it.

 

[Squirrel!!!]

This will not help the people members of the family, but probably the best product for the dogs if you have major tick issues is actually a tick collar.

All those years of seeing flea collars not work, there is a tick collar, called PREVENTIC that really works. (Only works for ticks)

Pretty impressive chemical, but great to prevent ticks, will make them detach too. Does nothing for fleas, but works far better than Frontline which is the best spot-on for ticks. Oh, and it has minimal to no odor!!!!

Feel free to research it. We do not have tons of ticks where I live, but use to sell them like hotcakes when I lived in CT.

I also agree with the PP about the body searches. Blech.

 

[JessicaR]

The tried ad true method is for you and someone else to check you over after a day of hiking.

Getting a tick off before 24hrs reduces the chance of transmission, or that is the general rule of thumb.

One of my dogs contracted ehrlichiosis from a tick bite this yr. People can get it to.

This is what we do also. We live in a densely wooded area. Not comfortable using repellents too often. Between the kids and the dogs its necessary to check everyone.

They sure do seem to be crazy abundant this year!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This will not help the people members of the family, but probably the best product for the dogs if you have major tick issues is actually a tick collar.

All those years of seeing flea collars not work, there is a tick collar, called PREVENTIC that really works. (Only works for ticks)

Pretty impressive chemical, but great to prevent ticks, will make them detach too. Does nothing for fleas, but works far better than Frontline which is the best spot-on for ticks. Oh, and it has minimal to no odor!!!!

Feel free to research it. We do not have tons of ticks where I live, but use to sell them like hotcakes when I lived in CT.

I also agree with the PP about the body searches. Blech.

Interesting.

You should have seen the fat bloated dog ticks on my dogs a few weeks ago....ACK....super nasty.

We had to clip them with scissors to find them and my oldest dd is a picker and she missed them.

 

[2disneyboys]

Interesting.

You should have seen the fat bloated dog ticks on my dogs a few weeks ago....ACK....super nasty.

We had to clip them with scissors to find them and my oldest dd is a picker and she missed them.

ITA! I got so grossed out by some fat ones last year that I took clippers to my 2 dogs and cut that hair short... it made it so much easier to see the ticks (one is light haired, but the other is almost black its so darK)

ahh.. the trials of living and enjoying the outdoors!!!

 

[Sadie22]

You are so fortunate that the Lyme diagnosis was made and that your child is receiving the necessary treatment.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

One of my dogs contracted ehrlichiosis from a tick bite this yr. People can get it to.

OP, or anyone else for that matter. if you remove a tick from you and a couple of weeks later you start running fevers for no apparent reason make sure you tell the doctor that you have been bitten by a tick.
My DM was diagnosed with ehrlichiosis many years ago. She had been bitten almost 10 days earlier. As this disease was just coming to be known, she was undiagnosed for approximately 4 days. Her fever was over 105 and they could not get it down! It is a very scary disease if left unchecked. She was gray and mumbling incoherently. Very frightening!!!
Once the infectious disease doctor figured it out and a treatment, it started clearing almost immediately.
The diagnosis was reported to whomever you report this to, and they found out she was the first patient ever in the state of NJ to have it. He told my DM that he was going to document her case in an article for publication. She was rather proud of that fact. I have a very strange mom.