I realize this has probably been asked before, but I am not in the mood for searching. I have been depressed and upset today. Probably mainly because I should be happy - my husband surprised me with a vacation/trip to New York (Watkins Glen) to a Farm Sanctuary with saved farm animals.
This makes me SO excited, but I'm also extremely scared and somewhat depressed. 1) because I've never been to New York, and have heard it's EXTREMELY lyme endemic. And 2) because we'll be spending the majority of the time at a farm with farm animals who have been in a field most of the day (I'm hoping I don't have to walk out in the fields... I think I'd be way too afraid to do that!). I want to enjoy this vacation, but I'm ALREADY dreading it... and that makes me angry and upset because my husband surprised me with this and thought it would make me happy!!!
So my question is, what is the liklihood of going to a farm in New York and picking up ticks just by being there? Or maybe this is a bad question.... LOL.
And what can I do to protect myself and my husband???? I am scared for myself to be rebitten, but more so for my husband to be bit at all! He's the healthiest of the two of us, and it needs to stay that way.... or we'd both be out of a job and in worse shape than we already are financially.
I realize I might be overthinking this or getting myself worked up. But that's something I cannot help. So I am here to ask your opinions and suggestions on what I can do to really protect me and my husband? To keep ticks off us? I know DEET is good, but does that keep ALL ticks off of you or no? I know to wear socks and tuck our pants into them. What else???? Please help!!!
Thanks!
[ 07-14-2009, 12:16 AM: Message edited by: disturbedme ]
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
Permanone (brand name of permethrin). Spray it on your clothes and let dry. Kills ticks the minute if/when they crawl on your clothing. You can get it at target or walmart.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Wow, really? It works THAT well?????
Thank you!
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Dawn - darn, is looks like permethrin it out because, from what I've read, it's highly toxic to cats and the B&B we are staying at has cats. augh!
Posted by catskillmamala (Member # 12536) on :
I really depends WHERE in NY you are going. For instance here in the Hudson Valley we have tons of ticks, and tons of lyme. My mother in law lives 1.5 hours west in Oneonta and they have hardly any ticks. In fact, she has NEVER seen one. And my kids and I did a farm day there and found no ticks.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Catskill - we will be in Watkins Glen, NY, which is kind of in the upper part of the state. Upper NY. A couple hours from Rochester, etc.
Posted by Just Julie (Member # 1119) on :
If the B & B you are staying at has cats (you said it did), and those cats are inside/outside cats, and there are ticks in that area, you will get bit, no doubt. If the cats go outside, then come in to sleep/eat, cuddle with the guests, guess where those ticks that are riding on the cat are going to end up?
On you.
I have an outside only cat, and pull ticks off daily, when the weather is right for ticks to survive, which is most of the year, here in Northern CA in my area. . . I do not let my cat come in my house, or even sit at my back door, because I have found ticks crawling RIGHT OUTSIDE MY BACK DOOR where he used to lay and wait for us to come outside and feed him.
I needed no further evidence, after that hair raising discovery. The ticks will find you, guaranteed.
I don't envy you your position. You will not have peace of mind if you find that this area and the place you will be staying at, has ticks. It's a no brainer. I'd lobby for a safer place to vacation at.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Just Julie - the cats where we are staying are indoor cats only and do not go outside, thank goodness...
PS - thanks for making me more anxious about a trip that should be making me happy.
Posted by tickalert (Member # 7033) on :
Bite Barrier...best stuff and non toxic. It does work but remember to keep putting it on.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I spray TKO Orange (also sold as Orange Guard) on my clothing.
Can also be sprayed in the home, the yard, and lightly rubbed on animal fur. It not only deters bugs - it kills them.
The active compound, from oranges, is d'limonene.
It's biodegradable so needs to be applied frequently, I'd say at least every 24 hours.
Posted by ticked-offinNc (Member # 15420) on :
Wear those knee high rubber boots, cheap at walmart.
Long white tube socks, a baseball cap.
Most farms have chickens and guineas free roaming, and they eat ticks.
Stay out of high grass pastures, use your bug spray often, and inspect yourselves often.
Once you get there, you will feel better, with the beauty, and peacefulness, so enjoy, and take a break from being ill.
Also many farms have livestock rubs, inwhich the animal rubs against it( it has pyrenthins, opps spelling) to keep flies etc off them.
I hope you have a wonderful time.Also I have my kids wash their hands after being outside.xo
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
Why not call the farm and ask some questions about what to expect? They can't guarantee anything, of course, but perhaps in their area, ticks aren't found very frequently.
Or, it's possible they have some kind of insect control in place already to protect the animals.....
I'm still recommending homeopathic Ledum and Hypericum in case anyone DOES get bitten.... easy to carry little bottles and easy protocol. I don't have the link handy but just type in 'after-the-bite' in the search box and it should show up, if interested.
Have a great time. Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
permethrin on your shoes
Posted by kitty9309 (Member # 19945) on :
Spray clothes and shoes with the permethrin before getting to the farm.
Once it is dry, it is bonded to the fabric and cannot harm the cats.
Have fun.
Posted by Just Julie (Member # 1119) on :
quote:Originally posted by disturbedme: Just Julie - the cats where we are staying are indoor cats only and do not go outside, thank goodness...
PS - thanks for making me more anxious about a trip that should be making me happy.
THAT was not my intention, disturbedme. Education is my only intent.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Thanks, Julie. I am pretty educated when it comes to ticks. Believe me. Otherwise, I would not be so worried about this trip.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Spray yourself with Lily of the Valley Cologne.
I'm NOT KIDDING.
Can document. Pubmed.
Ticks do NOT like that "scent".
REALLY.
Posted by susiecv (Member # 9702) on :
I live about 30 min. from Watkins Glen-It is a beautiful area of the Finger Lakes . Hope you get to enjoy Seneca Lake.
We definitely have ticks (who doesn't, unless of course you ask your local doctor!), but it is not nearly as endemic (yet) as many other parts of NY & PA seem to be.
I am sure that with some spray & care you will have a good time.
Most people around here are still absolutely clueless concerning LD.
Suggested a parent of one of my students have him tested for LD last April after so many health issues & the possible dx of juvenile RA. He was positive. Surprised the heck out of our school nurse!
Now I just hope his Mom is smart enough to get him properly treated... Go.have.fun. Sue
Edited to add-If you are able, be sure to hike the falls....great experience & ice cream at the top!!!!
Posted by sizzled (Member # 1357) on :
Watkins Glen is so beautiful. I never forgot it and that was decades ago.
The Sanctuary may spray and already have tick repelling spray for the horses.
I have been around horses for decades and never got bit by a tick. It was when I started gardening....
It has been very cool at night so it is easy to wear clothes pre-sprayed with permethrin (let dry or put in dryer)to prevent tickbites.
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