Tick guard

Stay on the porch. Far fewer ticks there.

Now, suck it up and get to poundin' hubs.

Wear light colored clothing, and tuck your pants bottoms into your socks.

Use a protective spray on your skin that has DEET (at least 20% strength).
There is a chemical called Permethrin that can be used to treat clothing.

Watch where you are going....if you can avoid the tall grass and leaves, do so...stay in the middle of paths and walkways, if there are any.

Once you get back inside, a thorough check should be performed, including behind the ears, under the armpits, behind the knees, in the crotch and other recesses.

Of course, check the hair/scalp as well. Take a quick shower once you get undressed, and don't forget that they may also be on your equipment, in bags, on your jacket/sweater/outer garments or on your car/truck seat.

We have had great luck with dusting your britches legs with a sock full of sulfur and wearing dog collars around the ankles.

NEVER, NEVER , NEVER PUT DOG FLEA AND TICK COLLARS ON YOUR BODY ANYWHERE THEY MIGHT TOUCH BARE SKIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You will end up poisoming yourself and be one sick puppy. The differance is that these collars are designed for DOGS. Dogs do not sweat through their skin. People do. That people sweat will soak up all of the pesticides and you then absorb it through your skin and get REALLY sick.
It NEVER failed that some "smart" trooper of mine who wore those things around his ankles during the summer heat down at Camp Shelby, Mississippi would end up getting medivaced to the local hospital because he had poisoned himself.
The best bet is 1.5" to 2" wide velcro strip loops around your pants legs and then lace your boots up on top of the velcro strips. That will even keep the chiggers out and, so far as I know, no one has ever had a case of "velcro poisoning".

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like standard hunting tips fer vile critters.
I'll add DEET to our procedures. Bike bands for the pants seem to pop off too easy,
will do some stronger velcro. Will make the crew shake off gear before getting into the rig. Vile critters, the ticks that is.

Keep in mind that even if you have been bitten by a tick, there are still several hours, often up to 24 hours, to remove the tick before the disease is transmitted. Of course, the sooner the better.

And hopefully, everyone knows there are safe ways to remove a tick and not-so-safe ways.......the CDC publishes information if one needs to read up.

Live in an area where ticks don't!

In 50+ years I have seen two ticks, both on dogs... and that's enough for me.

Sicilian's comments on checking, and checking again are key. I've said this before; think of Arlo Guthrie's draft physical: "and they left no parts untouched." The little buggers could be anywhere - you have to look!

Check at the end of the day to get them all. Then, check again in the morning for the one you missed the night before.

Not all ticks will make you sick, but it only takes one.

Remember, the nymphs can be as small as the period at the end of this sentence.

If you have flue like symptoms, and it is not flue season, see your doctor! You cannot tough this out; it will make you VERY sick. Waiting will not make it better. Don't be stupid.

Ken

Ticks seem to find those areas on your body that blood is plentiful and near the surface. Like around the waist-band on my fat arse.

Try to wear clothes that cover but don't bind and use liberal doses of DEET.

If you are bitten and develop the dreaded "bullseye" within 24 to 48 hours:

seek medical attention asap.

Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme can cause fever, headaches, body aches and crushing fatigue. Some patients develop a characteristic bull's eye skin rash at the location of the tick bite. Lyme can also affect the cardiac system and the brain, causing arrhythmia, vertigo, speech impairments such as stammering, and poor concentration. Palsy and facial paralysis are also symptoms of Lyme. It is not uncommon for patients to suffer mood swings, depression, and psychotic episodes such as hallucinations.

Lyme Disease Research

Sounds like most the Surveyors after 20 years..lol

Always keep a tender and better tasting companion near. only the starving ticks will pick you first, then after a short feeding to obtain the energy to switch hosts, will.
jud

Load your paint legs up with high deet spray. I look for 40%+ to keep them off. We had a few imbeded here this year and are big on tick checks when we rerurn from the brush. keep field cloth outside for a while so ticks leave them...
We have bad tick problem here in upstae NY.

Shower twice a day and check really well. As Angelo said, it takes a while to become infected, 24 hours or so.

Avon makes a product called "Skin so Soft" that has insect repellent and sun screen in it that works well for me. I put it on after showering and it has served me well for years. Keeping out of tall weeds and walking in the middle of the path has never been and option for me. The doggone centerline never seems to hit out in the open!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cutter has similar product called "Skinsations" at 7% Deet

When in tickland, try to avoid rubbing against tick favorite plants, usually those of the sticky underleaf varieties.

:dog:

I was at a jobsite not too long ago where I had the unpleasant experience of having about 15 ticks on me two days in a row, even after bathing in 40% deet spray. So i sought advice from an old timer I know. His advice was to add eucalyptus oil to skin so soft or any type of lotion and put it on your lower legs, waist, and upper arms. Essentially any openings to your clothes. I have yet to have another run in this year, even at that jobsite.