This is topic Tick Bite Prevention Thread in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
 
With all the questions coming in on what to do if you are bit by a tick, it is equally important to post how to prevent tick bites in the first place.

Prevention:

Spray all clothes with Permethrin (DEET does not work well on ticks) let the Permethrin treated clothes fully dry before wearing them.

To order permethrin:

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp153116_332828_sespider_1_1/repel/permanone_insect_repellent_clothing_and_gear_spray.htm

For clothing:

Knee high gore tex gaiters (tan color so you can see the ticks) sprayed with permethrin

Hiking boots or sneakers (no sandals) with the gaiters over them sprayed with permethrin

Rynoskin socks
http://www.rynoskin.com/shop.htm

Bug Shirt Pants and Shirt (tan or light color)
Also sprayed with permethrin
http://www.bugshirt.com/

For the head:
If you have long hair, braid it and tie it up in a Buff or under a hat (light colored)

http://www.buff.es/en/index.php?p=USA

If you cant tolerate the permethrin, you can try Natrapel, citronella like herbal insect prevention.

Check yourself constantly and stay on trails and out of tall grass or underbrush and leaf litter, don't let trees/plants brush up against you.

I usually stick to water sports, or very well worn paths when hiking, just to risky to go in the woods in most places.

Be careful at the beach too, sand fleas can infect you as well.

Treat your yard by installing a fence and getting Damminix tick tubes.

http://www.ticktubes.com/

Call in the tick experts, and keep your pets protected! Don't let pets on your furniture without checking them! Try using a lint roller on your pets fur and checking them with a pet comb.

Hope this helps! Share your ideas:)
 
Posted by onbam (Member # 23758) on :
 
Daily tick checks are beyond important. My tick, the only one I've ever seen where I lived at the time, got me in bed at night while I slept.

I caught it after showering the next morning.

If there were an utterly non-toxic repellant, though, I'd cover myself with it 24/7 during bug season.

[ 05-24-2010, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: onbam ]
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
GREAT INFO ....

WWW.TREATTHEBITE.COM

[ 06-21-2011, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
 
Posted by buzzsflybox (Member # 26808) on :
 
If I may; PLEASE read the permethrin info on the following links.(Copy & paste)

The 1st is for your clothing. And the second is for your pets and also ridiculously low prices for the product.

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/faqpermethrin.htm

https://www.calvetsupply.com/product/Permectrin_II_Insecticide_Spray_8_oz/New_Products

I profit in no way from the sale or use. Just the good will others. Buzz
 
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
 
Anyone using Orange Guard? It says you can spray it on kids and pets....even near food. I think there is a commercial version that you get for spraying large outdoor areas. We plan to spray our hillside with it.
 
Posted by nellers78 (Member # 26774) on :
 
Any advice about ticks in your own back yard? Is there a way to spray something on the grass to kill them? My tick came off my dog, from our backyard.
 
Posted by anthropisces (Member # 15672) on :
 
Here's some advice on avoiding Ticks so that you don't get Lyme and coinfections; stay out of Florida.

Most people don't know how tick infested this state is. In some areas, I'd compare the tick population to be on par with swarming mosquitos.

Back before all this Lyme stuff started in my life, I took my little terrier for a walk down a dirt road with tall grass growing in it in some sections. When we returned home I pulled 32 ticks off of him.

That is in Palm Beach County

I got Lyme in north Florida where the tick loading was even heavier. Camping up there, we were unaware of Lyme. There seemed to be ticks on every blade of grass, lying in wait with their legs spread wide to hook onto passing animals. One of those animals was me.
 
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
 
Hi WildCondor

Is tick prevention thread what you use to tie them up so they can't bite you??

He HE HE He !!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

MADDOG
 
Posted by dian (Member # 14335) on :
 
Wild Condor, I am trying to reach you by private message but cannot, can you pm me, I need to ask you somethings if you don't mind. We have spoken in the past a while back.
thank you so much
diana
 
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
 
Seconding anthropisces in florida...

pulled two ticks off dog today, three the day before, NINE the day before that (imagine our terror as we're just learning about lyme), saw one crawling up a wall yesterday

bought diatomaceous earth based on something I'd read on this forum ... not seeing any impact so we're bombing the house and yard, maybe I'm not using it right
 
Posted by deerose (Member # 27484) on :
 
Insect Shield treated products
in clothing and hats and bandanas and buffs--and even a chair.
they last 70 washes without reapplication.

Pricey up front but if you can afford them there is less fuss than reapplying the spray and storing the clothes in black bags away from light like you have to do with the spray.

and if you factor cost of spray reapplication well it's not as big of a price jump as it seems at first sticker shock.

Insectshield.com

the site has a page for all the brands that carry
Insect Shield products.

Even a chair treated with it.

Just another option I came across for the arsenal.

and it seems to me that spray isn't going to work too well for a well used hat with lots of sun exposure--

http://sloggers.com/hats.shtml

has the wide brimmed hat as well as bucket hats in cloth treated with Insect Shield.

which when I am using abx that cause sun sensivity, a hat is a daily constant.

they have a high spf factor too.
 
Posted by deerose (Member # 27484) on :
 
free ranging chickens and guinea hens eat ticks for breakfast lunch dinner and dessert
 
Posted by upstatelymee (Member # 31479) on :
 
so that's a good thing, right? I have chickens.
 
Posted by annier1071 (Member # 28977) on :
 
Wild turkeys eat ticks like crazy...the spend the their time in the same areas as the deer.

Also you cannot use sprays or powders on grass around your house if you use well water! Be careful since it causes your drinking and bathing water to become toxic. This is the same for any natural grass remedies you read about. They all soak into the well water.
 
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
 
I use the Orange Guard essential oil, also called TKO Orange in concentrate form. It's nontoxic to us, kills/deters the bugs. Put a little in a spray bottle, fill up with water and spray on clothing, immediate environment, lightly rub/mist on dog/cat fur.

I'm not near any wells, so that's not an issue here. I don't know what the impact of the orange essential oil is on water.

I've read about a site called www.homs.com which advertises safe natural products for skin protection, including for kids, but I haven't tried any of the products myself.

For trimming vegetation so you don't have to touch it, www.wildflower-seed.com sells cut-and-hold pruners.
 
Posted by ltlmt (Member # 33946) on :
 
Lots of great ideas here!!!

Here is something I started doing after i got bit and the Dr. found another teeny tiny tick on me after I was sick. Even with reading glasses on i could barely tell it was a tick.

I spray down with deet and shower it off as soon as i come in. If i even think something is crawling on me but I can't see it I use a sticky tape lint roller and go over the area.
 
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
 
Any advice on insecticide sprays to use in the backyard to keep ticks away? I have two small kids so I'd prefer something that's not too chemically but on the other hand, I don't want them to get LD either. Since I got it this summer, presumably in our backyard, I've become paranoid about them getting infected. thanks!
 
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
 
Please send me a private message...I found something.
 
Posted by Alisandne (Member # 27304) on :
 
It should be noted that Permethrin is highly toxic--deadly--to cats. It's used as an insecticide on dogs, but never cats.

If you spray your clothes with Sawyer clothing spray, etc., be sure they're thoroughly dry before wearing them--especially if a cat might jump in your lap or brush around your ankles.
 
Posted by LymeCFIDSMCS (Member # 13573) on :
 
DEET can increase permeability to the blood brain barrier, something to consider when dealing with brain-affinitive bugs.

Here's an interesting study on Buzz Away (natural repellent) vs. DEET spray on dog ticks -- have no idea if it would work as well on deer ticks though. Obviously, use at your own risk as with any product:

http://www.quantumhealth.com/news/Buzz_Away_Extreme_vs_Off_Active_IV.html

A lot of us with chemical sensitivities can't use anything, including such natural products w/ essential oils (I can though now, the essential oils sometimes) -- another thing I have found really helpful is spreading cedar mulch all around any walking areas (i.e. path from house to car) and leisure areas (around decks, etc.). It does seem to create a buffer if you make sure you've done a path several feet wide.

My understanding is that cedar should be refreshed regularly -- like once a year.
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
AVOID GRASS!! I love concrete! [Smile]
 
Posted by amos (Member # 27219) on :
 
How about the Insect Shield line of clothing. Though it can be pricey. Toxic??
 
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
 
I tried that line and had to send it back. Made me itch so badly. My husband can wear it. He still ended up with a tick bite three days ago anyway.
 
Posted by supergirl (Member # 26936) on :
 
I read a post by someone on the board a long time ago that he wanted to put a guinea hen on a leash and keep with him at all times! lol me too!

me, too: concrete is my fav - concrete is my friend (I am a huge naturalist - breaks my heart!)

I'm close to remission after a year with my current doc! I am well most of the time but still have moments where I am sick. I enjoy my well moments so much! I never take one well moment for granted [Smile]
 
Posted by daynise (Member # 39609) on :
 
Hi guys,

I've gotten some questions about getting "tick bombed" in September and I wanted to share this link:

http://mayalassiter.com/2009/08/seed-ticks-the-scourge-of-the-earth/

A tick bomb is basically getting swarmed by hundreds or thousands of seed ticks at once.
This lady shows photos of the ticks on her skin and explains what a tick bomb is and how to quickly get ticks off if you are tick bombed.

I did not know such a thing existed before it happened to me so I thought I'd share.
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
My first experience with ticks I was covered with them. Probably well over a few hundred ticks. The rest is history.

I didn't know there was a name for that experience, daynise!

The lady in your post said this:

"You can pop seed ticks between your fingernails if you're feeling vengeful, or you can burn the tape, maybe, and maybe do a little victory dance around the flames."

Popping them between your fingernails is a REAL GOOD way to get the bacteria all over your hands!
 
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
 
Why not...

FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth?

Do not BREATHE it went spreading, but it is a natural gardener's best choice.

If your property is full of ticks, any chance you could do a controlled burn once a year?

Gals...good old Lily of the Valley Cologne is a tick repellant (PubMed link).

Men...Pine tar soap.

Good to see prevention coming up again!
 
Posted by Edessajarrue (Member # 35310) on :
 
I was bit in my garage - never even went into a grassy area. Actually found several crawling on me and my fiancee in a 2 day period while doing work in the garage.

Orkin man came out this past year for tick control. Too expensive, plan on doing my own tick control for now.
 
Posted by Limping Lily (Member # 5099) on :
 
Because I am outside so much, I have found that the most pungent essential oils are pretty effective, particularly rose geranium, which I put on my hair, socks, neck, arms, behind knees, and pretty much all over my clothes, so I really reek! Seems to keep most bugs, etc. Off me. If people are allergic to perrfumes or chemicals, do not use. Geraniol is very potent! I have used buzzaway with good results also.
 
Posted by lostlyme (Member # 38561) on :
 
I used Permethrin 10 horse and cattle spray from tractor supply.

Diluted with water and placed in a sprayer and did my work clothes , socks ,boots.

Dry for few days wash once then wear.

I worked in heavily wooded environment ,fields etc for over12 hours a day and not 1 tick in over 6 months of work
 
Posted by sick (Member # 9143) on :
 
I am confused. I thought Repel was for clothing only but some where I read to use it on your skin too. Is Repel for your clothes only or also for use on your skin.
 
Posted by beck (Member # 43653) on :
 
I recently came across a product called "Tick Tackler Outdoor Bug Protection Patch".

It is a patch containing vitamin B1, which apparently is a natural pesticide.

It is absorbed by your skin and spreads all over, essentially rendering you pest resistant.

It protects against all vectors, including ticks and mosquitos.

Since it is vitamin B1, it is natural and does not contain any chemicals.

I have only worn them a few times, but when I did, I was not bothered by even mosquitos, even when working in the yard and I live in swamp country.

If you live in NJ, they also have a yard spraying service, using all natural and non-toxic pesticides.

Here is the website:

http://www.ticktackler.com/

I am not affiliated with this company in any way. I just thought I would share what works for me.
 
Posted by Bitten in Bergen (Member # 34067) on :
 
I've recently switched to picaridin, which is supposed to be almost as effective (but safer) than deet.

Great information about it is available at the Environmental Working Group website.
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
http://www.ewg.org/

Environmental Working Group

- check ingredient safety on all kinds of personal care and household products


http://www.ewg.org/research/ewgs-guide-bug-repellents/repellent-chemicals

EWG's Guide to Bug Repellents in the Age of Zika: Repellent Chemicals

April 18, 2016

Picaridin . . . .


. . . Picaridin does not carry the same neurotoxicity concerns as DEET but has not been tested as much over the long term.

Overall, EWG’s assessment is that Picaridin is a good DEET alternative with many of the same advantages and without the same disadvantages. . . . appearing to repel a wide range of pests . . . .

. . . Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus /PMD . . . .
-
 
Posted by GloriaPhair (Member # 48889) on :
 
Thanks for sharing these tips.
 
Posted by marie (Member # 3980) on :
 
Hi Wild Condor
Would love an update on you. Miss you on the board.
 
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
 
What ever happened to wild condor????
MADDOG
 


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