Ticks

In Oklahoma ticks come from two places: up or down. They are either 101st. Airborne parachuting down from the trees onto your head or 1st. Cav. pounding the ground and attacking your boots as you walk through infested ground cover.

Hats in the woods and no loose fitting collars. Pet flea and tick collars around your boot ankles does work, but for God's sake don't let them rub on exposed skin. They're poison you know. A good dose of aerosol Deep Woods Off doesn't hurt either.

The best thing you can do tidy up, post-exposure. Strip nekkid as soon as you can and perform an ardent "tick check". Get 'em before they have time to start their feast. And they do camp out in dirty laundry. Keep a separate hamper on the porch and do laundry often this time of year.

The only real way to avoid the little critters is to move north of the Arctic Circle...and I'm not to sure they aren't up there either.

Nothing like the smell of bug spray in the morning. Smells like money!!!

I switched to a powder based deodorant with minimal fragrance (degree) and I do not wear cologne. It's not the full solution, but it has helped.

good point

I have noticed over the years the younger crew members with a propensity to douse themselves with odiferous "product" in the morning claim more than their share of available insect "hitchhikers".

Also, purchase the "unscented" Deep Woods Off, or similar. Insect pheremonology is something I would rather not spend time studying!

I've been treating my pant legs and boots with Permethrin. You spray it on, and let dry. Supposedly lasts several washings.

I would agree with Gromaticus. We have a large number of clients using the below product. I brought it into inventory on the recommendation of some avid hunters I know. They swear by it. It does last up to 6 washings. Permethrin Clothing & Gear Insect Repellent

Payden

There is a country song about "Ticks" Some of the words go "An I'd like to check you for ticks". Well, somebody should come out with the surveyor's version: "'An I'd like to get CHECKED for ticks!"

🙂

N

That is interesting. I have never been plagued by bugs. I use unscented soap and never anything in the cologne department due to anything with perfume in it plugs up my sinuses.

Nate

I always put on soft music and turn the lights down when I clean up of an evening after being in "ticky" woods. 😉

Money Penny usually doesn't buy into it though. For some reason "tick check" just doesn't sound romantic to her. She did hand me an old make-up compact with a mirror on it....through a barely cracked open bathroom door..:pinch: .

Hey Nate

Whatever happened with your tick fever? Are you back out in the field? Are you still suffering effects from that attack?

Just curious.

My Tick Fever Report

I went down bad about 2 wks ago. I have learned stuff about my case.

1.) NEVER get cold at night. It takes me down for 3-10 days.

2.) Take a hot bath 1-2 times a day. There is something toxic that I am sweating out of my skin. Wash it off.

3.) No stimulants. Coffee. (Tea ok, a little)

4.) Take Vitamin B, liquids.

5.) Eat garlic. (I make a garlic butter dressing for popcorn, that works great for this).

I have been "up" now for 8 days straight. (Up means I can work, have some energy, and don't have to rest for extended periods in the day.) Also it means I sleep pretty good at night.

I don't think it is over, but doing much better now. Thanks for asking.

Nate

My Tick Fever Report

:good: :good: :good:
Probably not all that popular down south, but up in these parts, the sauna is the ticket. If I'm feeling something coming on, I'll go in the sauna and sweat it out, take a cool shower and drink a bunch of water and go to bed. Nine out of ten times, I'm like new the next day. Don't think bugs care much for heat.

On a side note, ticks are showing up more and more around here, though still not that common, thank God. B-)

To repel ticks

I am trying this product:
http://thegreenwayformula.com/default.aspx

I will give a report in 5-6 wks.

N

To repel ticks

I'm not going green just yet.....already placed an order for Permethrin...supposedly it kills the little B'ards...and I'm all for that.

Good point on the soap, when I was full time field I did switch to an unscented soap. SWMBO likes the scented kind and I am no longer full time in the sun and rain.

No Pest Strips made by Hot shot. Break open the package and cut the "yellow tongue" down the middle long ways. Drill a hole in each end and run a shoelace through. One package per leg and it kills ticks and chiggers for about 2 to 3 months at $8 per package. Only smells for a couple of days then goes away. An older surveyor that passed away told this to me about 10 years ago and I have worn them since. I never spray and leave the things around my boots when I take them off. I also keep a spare set in a tupperware container when whoever comes along with me so they don't gripe the next day about being covered up with bites.

To repel ticks

The "Going Green" thing is incidental. The chemical stuff does not work real good for me. Although the idea of tying bit of a dog collar on the shoe laces sounds like a good thing.
I just want stuff that works.

People that say "And it's all organic", I reply "Yeah and so is cow manure, and spider bites!"

🙂

N

To repel ticks

We tried it last year with good success. I would recommend it highly.

Hack