Ticks and other bugs

[greyhounder]

I’ve already discovered my first real live travel bug — I had a tick on me Saturday. I hate them!! Now that Spring is here, so are the nasty bugs. What do you all do to combat this stuff? I actually have a bit of an allergy to bug spray (I know, that’s really odd…) so I don’t apply any as a rule. However, now that I’ll be hanging out in the woods, I will risk being eaten.

Any advice and tips will be greatly appreciated!

Bec

[Mama Fishcacher]

Well, depending on how your allergy to the bug spray is, if you apply it to your clothing and not your skin, it will still work.

I’ve heard of some people using dog flea and tick collars around their ankles. I suppose that would be one that would fall in the *outside of the clothing* catergory as well. I can’t vouch for it myself….

I’m looking forward to hearing others’ ideas too!!

~Mama Fishcacher

[Cathunter]

Oddly enough, I have read that Avon “Skin-So-Soft” is an excellent mosquito repellant.

I think I would try every repellant I could find until you find something that agrees with you better. The mosquitos at many caches I have done were thick enough to drive me off. I’d break a little sweat and the repellent would wash away and in seconds I was eaten alive. Now I keep the can on my side at all times (in season).

There are also hats with mosquito netting that protects your face & neck, but the rest of you will be fair game.

[sbukosky]

Ticks already? Kanook was just to the vet and has his supply of tick repellant and such. It worked good last year. I picked up a load of the darned things whenever I was at Bong so checked around for the best tick and mosquito repellant. My conclusion is if it doesn’t have at least 25% DEET, you better stick to quick caches. I buy the Osco version of Deep Woods Off and it works great. Just be sure to spray the pants, shirt and hat too.

[RangerBoy]

I like to use a bug net suit I got from Gander Mountain. It is a lightweight mesh that goes over your clothes and consists of pants, jacket, headnet. Mosquitos and ticks can’t get through the tiny little holes. The only drawback is the looks you get from people you run into in the woods that think you are some sort of sniper.

[greyhounder]

Thanks for the responses! I have tried Skin So Soft for mosquitoes, and it does seem to work pretty well (and smells so nice!) I hadn’t remember that until you mentioned it! I wonder if certain essential oils might work as well (I’m a little on the granola side, so I like to use natural product.) I was worried that I might have to go the DEET route though, which, as long as I don’t go crazy with the spray, will not have a serious impact on my allergies (just a little skin irritation.) Although that does rule out the possibility of my greyhound coming with me on hunts (greys are super sensitive to the chemicals used in pesticides.) I’ll just have to cache with Peanut then!

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

RangerBoy, I was giggling at the thought of me in a bug net suit!! That has got to be a sight!

Bec

[GeoPink]

Don’t eat bananas. For whatever reason, mosquitoes are attracted to something that is in the bananas that is still noticeable to them long after you’ve eaten one. I’ll look it up again and see if I can’t figure out why…

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later,
Team GeoPink
Co-conspirators to make the world a better place…

[buck09]

quote:

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Originally posted by arcangl7:
Don’t eat bananas. For whatever reason, mosquitoes are attracted to something that is in the bananas that is still noticeable to them long after you’ve eaten one. I’ll look it up again and see if I can’t figure out why…

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Also – mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide – if at all possible, avoid exhaling.

[timberlane74 pumpkin]

Sawyer’s has a great line of Permethrin based products that are great for applying to clothing. DO NOT APPLY to skin…I generally treat a set of clothes for hiking (just did last weekend in fact, because I have spotted some ticks also…) and caching…in 3 years I have NEVER had a tick on me when wearing the treated clothes…follow the labels directions and it works great…also the stuff lasts 4-6 washings. Also great to use on a set or two of clothes for kids that may go to a camp…

[rubeeslpr]

Last weekend we geocached for quite a few hours. Whizzer the dog had 6 ticks, and Mr. Rubee had one imbedded in his arm. From what the vet said this is pretty early for ticks, but he has had a few other pooches come in with them attached.

[Big Yonsson]

mosquito’s are pests as are flys.
Tics dont hurt or pester.

[Cathunter]

quote:

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Originally posted by Big Yonsson:
mosquito’s are pests as are flys.
Tics dont hurt or pester.

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Not to offend, but perhaps you should do some research on the West Nile Virus and Lymes Disease. I don’t spend any time worrying about either, but both have been becoming more and more prevelant.

[jthorson]

quote:

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Originally posted by fishcachers:
I’ve heard of some people using dog flea and tick collars around their ankles. I suppose that would be one that would fall in the *outside of the clothing* catergory as well. I can’t vouch for it myself….

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I just got home from Pic-N-Sav. I bought a dog collar (the large size) and I don’t have a dog. But I did remove a tic by force last week. My plan is to attach said collar to my “campaign bag” which I carry while caching. I will report after field trials.

Woof.

[greyhounder]

I just purchased some Badger Balm — Anti Bug stuff. It’s got all sorts of natural stuff in it….citronella oil, patchouli, lemongrass, castor oil…..we’ll see how that works out.

Bec

[Grandma & Grandpa]

We were caching in northern WI this past weekend. We all found ‘normal’ brown ticks on us, which typically do not transmit the Lymes germs. We did not find any deer ticks, which can carry and transmit the Lymes germs. All ticks were found before attaching themselves – we were pretty diligent checking for them! Good opportunity to teach some good woodsmanship to the 2 grandkids with us. Grandpa

[Author]

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