Our "friends": TICKS

We need more 'possums, they eat ticks.

Andy

We would have a lot more 'possums and 'dillers too if they could learn to stay off the damn roads.  

As one who has had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever twice, I wish they would go away completely.

We would have a lot more 'possums and 'dillers too if they could learn to stay off the damn roads.  

That's why the chicken crossed the road - to show the 'possum that it can be done.

Andy

@andy-bruner 

One of my favorite jokes, but here we tell it on raccoons. We see more dead raccoons than possums. I think some southern states use armadillos in that joke.

The armadillo defensive mechanism of leaping up into the air to frighten enemies does not work well on automotive vehicles.  Hugging the ground would save many of them.

Currently waiting for testing for Alpha-gal, an allergy that developes to red meats from a tick bite. ugh

Currently waiting for testing for Alpha-gal, an allergy that developes to red meats from a tick bite. ugh

SWMBO has a friend with that condition, not good.  Hope you test negative!

I suggest "Insect Shield Your Own Clothes".  I have my clothes treated every year.  I get 1 maybe 2 ticks on me a year and that is it.  Well worth the money to not have to worry with getting diseases.  

@gary_g Yikes.  Gonna have to move to the eastern shore and live on seafood.

Huge problem in this neck of the woods, although Lyme disease mostly.  Gotta protect yourself.  In addition to what Matt posted, I've done the permethrin spray myself on pants and bought shirts when on sale in my size.  Also spray the dog, tent, boots, top of hat, etc.  And use picaridin at least 20% on skin.

https://www.exofficio.com/bugsaway/men/tops/?custompid=AFS_613543135308

https://www.sawyer.com/products/permethrin-fabric-treatment

I think you need to find better friends!

Sadly if you're an active field surveyor nowadays in the CONUS you will eventually be exposed to a tick bite.  It's a roll of the dice and and only a matter of time until your number's up.  Repellents and insecticides make the odds a little better in your favor but they're not fool proof.

I survived a Rickettsia rickettsii infection (RMSF) with massive doses of antibiotics.  Thought I was going to die.  Nowadays there are certain times of the year I won't get out of the truck.

Be careful guys.  I hope everybody's immune system is up to par.

I treat my work clothes and socks/boots with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TNYPQY4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cheapest way to go.  Been using it for 5 years now, no bites yet (knock wood)

I hear Permathrin works well, and it may be used on dogs, but don't use it on anything around cats - it is really bad for them.