FYI: Ticks are out already

[creskol]

In spite of the run with single digit temperatures, ticks are a plenty. Went for a walk in the woods yesterday and found 3 ticks crawling on me. I found one more latched on to me this morning. Be careful out there!

 

[tamrock]

I don't think we have ticks in Colorado. Many years of living here I never encountered a single one on me or any of the dogs I've had.

 

[brianc053]

Thanks for the warning creskol. In warmer weather They are common here in New Jersey too. I haven’t seen any this winter, but I will now start using various protections.

 

[Saker]

Loads of ticks in SW PA. Permethrin is the best repellent for ticks. Wet your clothes with it and it'll keep the ticks away. It last several wash cycles as well. I haven't had a tick on me since I started using it.

 

[pa plateau hiker]

Good warning creskol, but ticks are-still-out. They don't hibernate. They can attach to you 12 months of the year. I've had the nasty ticks on my pants when the temperature was in the low 20's.

 

[creskol]

Good warning creskol, but ticks are-still-out. They don't hibernate. They can attach to you 12 months of the year. I've had the nasty ticks on my pants when the temperature was in the low 20's.

That is true, but they are usually way less active during the winter months. This is the first time in 35+ years that I have found four on me this early in the year. Of course it could be that the deer are breeding like rodents, because I have seen way more of them this year than I have in the past.

"Ticks usually not active during the winter that go dormant instead include the American dog tick and the lone star tick. The blacklegged tick, also known as deer ticks, carry Lyme disease and will remain active during the colder months, as long as the temperature is above freezing."

 

[dognose]

Good to know.

 

[ticndig]

I once found a tick on me in January , I've lived in Va my entire life and only remember there being the larger dog ticks in my youth. now it's seldom the dog ticks , more deer tick and Lone Star tick.

 

[signal_line]

Good to know.

I call them the ‘t’ word. No ticks here until late March. I got the fever years ago, no fun. When they say fever they really mean it. I say do not use rubbing alcohol to remove them. Just grab them and slowly tug on them until they let go, could take up to a minute. But the point is tug very gently so you don’t tear off their head inside your skin.

 

[pa plateau hiker]

That is true, but they are usually way less active during the winter months. This is the first time in 35+ years that I have found four on me this early in the year. Of course it could be that the deer are breeding like rodents, because I have seen way more of them this year than I have in the past.

"Ticks usually not active during the winter that go dormant instead include the American dog tick and the lone star tick. The blacklegged tick, also known as deer ticks, carry Lyme disease and will remain active during the colder months, as long as the temperature is above freezing."

Correct, I have read and you probably have too where someone writes that because it is winter, ticks aren't out. I had Lyme disease back in '83, before anyone knew what it was. Even my doctor said he didn't know what the bullseye on the back of my leg was. Luckily he gave me anti-biotics, but still, I was a spaced out zombie for 3-4 years. I don't go in the woods without spraying my pants with permethrin.

 

[brianc053]

Adding to what I said earlier: this thread is a great reminder to treat with permethrin and some Deet too. I have been careless in the first few weeks of 2023; 10 days ago I went charging through thick prickers for maybe an hour during a detecting hunt, but fortunately didn't get any ticks (I did change out of the clothes and shower after getting home). I could have easily picked one/a few up during that adventure.
I will re-institute protective measures starting right away. I've been fortunate to avoid sickness (despite...4? tick attachments) and want to keep it that way!
- Brian

 

[ticndig]

I've often wondered why no one sells sportsmans wash , shower with it after returning from the woods to be sure you are tick and chigger free. you know it would sell . if you take this idea and make a fortune don't forget me..

 

[Johnnybravo300]

Ive seen a couple ticks here in CO but nothing like KS was.

 

[Kype]

yes. i hate ticks. lymes disease hit me hard about 15 years ago. i dont go anywhere without treated clothing in permethrin. even cutting the grass i wear it. and anytime since that i found a tick in my body its instantly a doctor visit. dont mess around with ticks. they will mess you up big time. its amazing how something so small can do so much damage.

 

[Kype]

at my bite mark was a bullseye the size of a basketball(it was on my back) and the center of it my skin was rotting away. when the nurse saw it she dropped my shirt and ran out the room to get the doctor. on top of that, i had hundreds of quarter size bulls eyes on my legs, arms,chest,neck, and face. i started loosing my hearing and eye sight. and i was in so much body ache pain that i couldnt make it out of bed in time to go to the bathroom. very high fever as well. all that hit me that hard when i was in my early 20s. cant imagine all that happening to an older person.

the solution was an IV treatment that i had to wear on my belt. meds were being pumped into me 24/7. and then had to take pills for a month. but to this day im still messed up. in my mid 30s and all my joints hurt and wake up feeling stiff. takes an hour to get everything loosen up. i guess im doomed for my later years.

 

[Tinhorn2]

Like Saker said - Permethrin is the best repellent for ticks- if the tick walks over the cloth 10 inches, It Kill it. When I do pull one off my skin, I put some Iodine on the spot

 

[billb]

I just heard on the radio a report that in the state of Connecticut tick population that carries the viruses will multiply greatly because they found evidence that the ticks are active even in the winter months and do not die off..