LymeNet Flash: Can you get ticks on you by riding a bike on the street?

This is topic Can you get ticks on you by riding a bike on the street? in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Mike Fisher (Member # 51581) on :

I want to get back into cycling, but i'm kind of scared of the outdoors right now!

Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :

I think you will be safe on your bike as long as you are not off trail in the woods.

Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :

When outside, you should ALWAYS have something to protect yourself from not only ticks but other insects as well. So very important.

Tick Borne Infections limits the knowledge of the dangers while outside. Many LLMD'S recommend new 'Vector Borne Infections' terminology. Insects cause the most diseases on the planet. And many have been weaponized, according to past and presently released information from many different sources.

While you can go ballistic and use deet containing products, I use Oil of Orange (safe) and a mixture of essential oils (safe) mixed with water and spray my whole body. Examples are peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, thyme, clove, garlic, orange. You will smell really good to people but not to bugs.

I refuse to stay indoors. Nature is meant to be enjoyed.
And always take your clothes off immediately upon entering your house, shower, and check for your body for bites and ticks. Unfortunately that is the world we live in now.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Bartenderbonnie:

Examples are peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, thyme, clove, garlic, orange. You will smell really good to people but not to bugs.

Those who have MCS will do their best to avoid being around anyone loaded down with oils or other fragrances. This is a public service announcement. [Wink]

Posted by Lyme248 (Member # 51011) on :

I got a tick crawling on me once after biking on a woodsy one-lane road. It was a very large one though. You also have to watch out for areas with long grass.

I go biking a lot on very woodsy roads, but I haven't seen any ticks on myself in a while. I tuck my pants into my socks and spray myself with a lot of eucalyptus oil whenever I go biking or do anything else near the grass and woods.

I try to check if anyone else I'm going with has sensitivities to smells, because it does smell very strong.

I would also note that certain oils that repel ticks attract flies. Especially peppermint oil. I tried using peppermint instead of eucalyptus, and I ended up with a bunch of flies flying around my head.

Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :

Again, if you’re just riding on the street you will be fine.

Consider yourself very blessed that you can ride a bicycle at all. Many people with this disease cannot.

Posted by Ann-Ohio (Member # 44364) on :

Stay in the middle of the path as much as possible. Ticks are waiting on bushes to hook on to you as you brush by.

Wearing long pants is a good idea. If you spray your biking clothes with permethrin, and let them dry, ticks that get on them will be killed. See www.tickinfo.com You can put those clothes through the wash many times before the treatment becomes ineffective.

Also, when you take your clothes off for that shower, put your clothes in the dryer for 1/2 hour - dryer heat will kill ticks.

[ 06-08-2019, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: Ann-Ohio ]