Bugs

[Grandma & Grandpa]

I attended a Gunderson Medical Foundation (of La Crosse) seminar on Lyme Disease & ticks a few years ago. All of the following comments are from materials and presentations at that seminar.

The larger brown ticks we saw a lot of at Hartman Creek are pesty, but fairly harmless. They are recognized by their brownish color with a white spot on the back. They are abundant in WI in the spring and early summer. They typically DO NOT transmit any diseases. When removed, if some mouth parts remain in our bodies, they are usually dissolved and absorbed quite automatically and without harm.

The much smaller deer tick can transmit the Lyme Disease germs, but only after a minimum of 24 hours attachment, and more likely, 36 hours. These are typically less than 1/8 inch in length, and are orange-brown with a black spot near the head. Because of the small size, detection can be quite difficult.

Removal methods vary. Forceps, tick removal gadgets, and fingernails all work, as does thread and soda straws, apparently. As pointed out earlier, do not squeeze the body of the tick – it needs to be grasped close to the head and pulled straight out. A dab of antibiotic ointment on the bite is suggested.

If a small deer tick is found attached, careful observation of the bite site is called for. A typical trouble sign is a bullseye discoloration or rash in the immediate area. If found, a trip to the Dr. is in order. If Lyme Disease is caught early, treatment with antibiotics is quite effective.

I’ve removed many from myself and others. I like using my fingernails. I’ve heard of lots of other methods – hot matches, alcohol, vasaline – but just grabbing and pulling them off works pretty good for me.

I’ve come to the conclusion that ticks are just another challenge to deal with if I am going to enjoy a life outdoors. I love wilderness canoeing, hunting, camping, hiking, and of course, GeoCaching. I check myself over carefully whenever I’ve been outdoors, and try to educate my outing partners to be diligent as well. And we’ve found lotsa ticks, but nobody has gotten sick!

cYa Happy Caching Grandpa

[Miata]

I found 2 regular ticks on me and 4 deer ticks. 2 regular ticks in the house and one on my dog (from my clothes). Not a good weekend tick wise. Deet next time!

[arffer]

Another good prevention is permethrin. You can buy it as a spray or liguid, and it is applied to your clothes (NOT to you). It will last a few weeks and survive a washing or two. It kills ticks on contact. They jump on your sleeve, pant leg etc., and they die.

Here is a good CDC article on tick prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/prevent.htm

BTW, there used to be a Lyme Disease vaccination called LYMErixâ„¢ that worked quite well, but due to low sales, it was withdrawn from the market.

[This message has been edited by CacheCows (edited 05-21-2004).]

[TeamLotsacache]

We did a complete tick check on each of the kids as soon as we got home last Sunday. Bath, hair check, the works. Then last night (Thursday night/Friday early AM) Jared woke up because there was a “lady bug” on him. Thought it was a nightmare and told him to go back to sleep. Ten minutes later, “MOMMY, There’s a bug on me!!!!” One more trip to the boys room to retuck in. Jared held out the ladybug. I told him to throw it in the garbage and followed him to the bathroom garbage where he threw away a tick. We’ve vaccuumed and cleaned all that we took with us last week and one stinker got through!

[WISearchers]

I never heard of Permethrin before. Sounds like some good but powerful stuff. Careful with the “cures” out there kiddies. Sometimes the cure is worse than the symptom or problem.

Has someone used this before? Probably good to spray on your clothes, let dry, then put them on? I wouldn’t want be like the guy in the news who tried to iron his clothes while he was wearing them! OUCH!! (True Story)

Permethrin

Deet

[This message has been edited by WISearchers (edited 05-21-2004).]

[arffer]

quote:

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Originally posted by WISearchers:
I never heard of Permethrin before. Sounds like some good but powerful stuff. Careful with the “cures” out there kiddies. Sometimes the cure is worse than the symptom or problem.

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Its recommended for tick prevention by the CDC and has less side effects than DEET. If you don’t wish to use Permethrin, then you definatly don’t want to be using DEET. If those two solutions are of concern, then you might want to look at the all natural Buzz Off product (not to be confused with the Buzz Off line of Permethrin clothing mentioned below).

quote:

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From CDC website –
Travelers should be advised that permethrin-containing repellents (e.g., Permanone or deltamethrin) are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear. Permethrin is highly effective as an insecticide and as a repellent. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other arthropods and retains this effect after repeated laundering. There appears to be little potential for toxicity from permethrin-treated clothing. The insecticide should be reapplied after every five washings.

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Has someone used this before?

yep, we’ve used it when venturing into tick country. We just never expected to find them so bad at Hartman Creek, and were not prepared.

Probably good to spray on your clothes, let dry, then put them on?

Those are indeed the instructions printed on the bottles.

You can get it at REI or Cabelas for example.

Note on Cabelas site the BUZZ OFF clothing line that has Permethrin built into the clothing.

[This message has been edited by CacheCows (edited 05-21-2004).]

[kbraband]

I have used permethrin a few times for our canoe trips. It worked well. Not only does it keep the ticks away, but also keeps the mosquitoes and black flys at bay too.

[bnb]

I didn’t find the ticks all that bothersome. I live out in the boonies so maybe I’m just used to having to worry about them. I sprayed my clothes with stuff that is designed for clothes. I didn’t pay attention to what was in it, but it doesn’t smell anywhere near as bad as spraying Off or Cutter all over my clothes. We did find some itty bitty deer ticks crawling on our pants but haven’t found any attached. Considering how much bushwacking we did through tall grass and pine forests I’m actually surprised we didn’t find more.

What I did notice, however, was how few mosquitoes and other biting things there were. I have one weird bug bite on my leg but no mosquito bites. And, there were absolutely no yellow jackets attacking our food or water. This is a big deal to us since my son is allergic to them.

As far as bugs go, this was the best camping trip I’ve ever been on. – BnB

[greyhounder]

Due to the cruddy weather, I haven’t been caching, or really out of the house, since the campout. Today I was getting out of my car and found a tick hanging out on my car door interior. Must have been a souvenir from the campout!!

Bec

(It’s dead now.)

[Green Bay Paddlers]

Since the campout, we found 2 live ticks and 4 dead ticks near where our dog sleeps. Thank goodness for Frontline flea and tick stuff! Dead ticks are a lot less disgusting than the living kind.

Curious that neither Jeff nor I found any on us the entire weekend. But I still wish they could make Frontline for people!

Amy from Green Bay Paddlers

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