Ticks and Lyme disease

[butler coach]

Well after watching my wife battle Chronic Lyme Disease for about 6 months now, we are doing everything we can to protect our family from tick born diseases. This makes going outside to play in the yard a major event and really sucks the fun out of every outdoor activity. We are thinking of moving out of Lyme Disease ground zero (PA) and heading out west where exposure to ticks at least looks better than here according to the CDC's Reported Cases of Lyme Disease. Just wondering if others here in other parts of the US have experience with ticks and can comment on the level interaction with ticks while recreating in the wilderness. It is common to pick 20 or 30 ticks off your clothing after waling through the woods in my area. Pretty much everyone I know has been affected by Lyme disease or other tick born co-infection. I'd love to hear that it's not this bad in other parts of the US.

My brother in law had Lyme's twice. And I know about 20 other people who have had it. It sucks I have been doing homemade tick tubes around the yard and seems to have helped in the yard. However when we go to the park the kids will have a few ticks on them each trip.
I hope she heals fast


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[idahojess]

My brother in law had Lyme's twice. And I know about 20 other people who have had it. It sucks I have been doing homemade tick tubes around the yard and seems to have helped in the yard. However when we go to the park the kids will have a few ticks on them each trip.
I hope she heals fast



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Wow-- for the record, I never saw a tick in western washington, and I grew up in the country and played in the woods. They might be around, but I never saw them.
There's quite a few ticks in eastern Washington and Idaho, but in the woods and range areas. I've never seen them in the parks, and my dogs usually will pick them up if they are around. Can't imagine picking them up in the yard or the park. DEET does seem to work, but I'd hate to have to wear it constantly.

They are awful things.

[41magfan]

At the rate Lyme Disease cases are spreading, it should be a concern for just about anyone that spends much time outdoors. Permethrin for your clothes/gear and Bifenthrin for the yard/landscape are good preventive measures.

I buy the stuff in concentrate form and mix it myself. There are certainly other sources, but I buy it here: www.domyownpestcontrol.com/

[NEPAKevin]

It probably should be noted that permethrin is toxic to cats.

[blues]

It probably should be noted that permethrin is toxic to cats.

Funny that you mention that. I've been using Advantix II on my dog for the past four years without issue. (It contains permethrin.) In fact, I just gave her this month's treatment about a half hour ago before heading off down the road to the mailbox.

We used to go with Frontline Plus in the past but the vets seemed to think this a better option in our area since it also works on mosquitoes and biting flies.

[jeep45238]

I deal with these sob insects daily. I tuck my pants into boots, shirt into pants, spray 100% deet on boots, everywhere clothing articles touch, my wide brimmed hat, and target areas of the body. I have had them crawling all over me, but only one that got to skin, not embedded and still flat (so hasn't fed itself).

A routine buddy tick check does wonders. Getting a shower asap and feeling for any bumps - the nymph ticks are a pin head in size - is crucial as well.

Not much can be done except stick to established trails, prep, and look for them constantly. Or live in a bubble.


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[frozentundra]

I live on Lake Superior in Northern Wi. Ticks have pretty much ruined my outdoor experience in the warm seasons. So many of the hardcore outdoor people I know such as farmers, river fishermen, gardeners, hunters, hikers and people who work outdoors have struggle with Lyme's disease that it takes all the fun out of enjoying the outdoors.

A couple weeks ago I got fed up with it, grabbed a rifle and pack, hosed myself down with Deet and headed out into the Chequamegon National Forest. By the time I got home I was absolutely crawling with ticks. Probably at least 30 or more. Two had managed to get a bite on me THROUGH my socks that were literally wet with Deet.

I give up. I'm moving. Not sure where yet, but somewhere I can enjoy the outdoors.

[GJM]

I hate ticks, and where I used to live in CT was not far from Lyme, CT. I found knee high rubber boots to be a big help in keeping ticks off.

[blues]

I hate ticks, and where I used to live in CT was not far from Lyme, CT. I found knee high rubber boots to be a big help in keeping ticks off.

See post 30. Baffin Tractor boots are awesome for just that purpose.

[NEPAKevin]

See post 30. Baffin Tractor boots are awesome for just that purpose.

Am I alone in being impressed that rubber boots have been mentioned multiple times in this thread with out the immediate down turn into innuendo about sheep farmers and their chosen footwear.