I don't even want to go there since I got Lyme disease. It has been since July. Am I crazy. Do ticks get indoors? How can I exterminate the cottage ? My Dad has been there for a month and wants to come and visit me here in NJ.
I am so afraid of him bringing ticks from the summer house. He lives in Florida in the winter and I will not see him again until next Spring.
Is there a tick "season"? What is it? I am also asking Dad to get tested because he suffers from arthritis. This is so complicated. I used to love the out doors.
Now I can't even look at a deer or tree, or walk under it with my kids, ugh
Posted by AlanaSuzanne (Member # 25882) on :
Woods + Long Island = ticks. And tick season is 24/7/365.
If you want/need to keep the cottage, assuming it's yours and/or your dad's, I'd fence it in, clear as much brush/trees as possible, and put a big concrete patio in the yard. I'd also spray whatever grass and vegetation that is left on the property.
As for your dad, I guess there could be a small chance of him bringing along a tick or two. But try not to panic. Maybe you can leave his suitcase in the garage and just take his clothes out and check them. If it were me, I'd spray them all with deet before bringing them in, but that's me lol.
Posted by momindeep (Member # 7618) on :
flutter:
I really can relate to that! I have not gone camping, fishing or any other outdoor activity since my daughter got Lyme ten years ago. (Not around here, I will in less infested states, tho.)
I just will not risk it, and I truely believe it is a risk.
Put your dad's clothes in the dryer...I would think that would kill any potential ticks if there were any.
It is okay to be safe rather than sorry, but we have to live our lives too...I find other things to do now.
Posted by AlanaSuzanne (Member # 25882) on :
I think there was a post here awhile back about dryers not killing the ticks. How scary is that?
momindeep, I never went camping other than the one time with girl scouts in a cabin in the woods where I brought along enough lysol and clorox to disinfect the whole place 10 times over <and believe me that place was filthy> --- I didn't have a clue about Lyme back then unfortunately --- if I did I've have brought the Deet along as well or more likely I just wouldn't have gone at all.
I wouldn't go camping ever again regardless of how infested a state might be. And not just because of ticks! I don't like woods. I don't like over-grown vegetation. I don't like tents. I don't like cabins. I don't like wild animals. I don't like the idea of being in some remote area where I can't get cell-phone service.
I love the "outdoors" but only when it's on concrete or at a beach.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
My family looks at me like I am a nutcase when I tell them I hate to go camping now, but I don't care.
Even my daughter, who is the one who has been sick for ten years, doesn't understand my paranoia. I am so afraid that someone else in my family will get sick though.
I tell them all the time that if they read as much as I do, they would feel the same way.
I used to want to live out in the woods somewhere. Now I am thankful that I live in a neighborhood away from the woods.
Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :
I got Lyme in the woods on Long Island.
I regret the day I went there.
Posted by madge (Member # 13704) on :
My husband got Lyme in a camping resort in South Jersey...we have a Park Model...we got it 14yrs ago....8yrs he go so sick...he had to stop working...our lives changed so much..
he is in treatment now this month 4yrs...and it took 4yrs to fine out he had Lyme...
just in the last few months he is showing signs or getting better...they are just little things.. but i'll take them...
he has not been down there much...this yr he went down about 7 times for 3 days each....
i still go...because i also have a sick daughter and i need some time to enjoy my grand kids and when i'm by myself i can cry....
next weekend we will be married 45yrs...and he said he will go down and maybe go out to dinner...another sign he is doing better..we haven't been out to eat in yrs...Madge Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'd be concerned too.. but from what I've read here, the ticks are terrible in NJ too!
Posted by AlanaSuzanne (Member # 25882) on :
NJ, NY, CT, PA are tick hotbeds, along with WI, MI and N. CA as well. I'm probably leaving out a state or two.
The rest of the US has ticks and logically TBD as well, but of course we've all heard the "we don't have Lyme here in (whatever state)".
Madge, congrats on 45 years of marriage and hubby doing better. Hope you are able to go out to dinner and celebrate this milestone. Sorry to hear that your daughter is sick. I understand the whole crying thing when you're by yourself. Good for you for enjoying your grandkids. I am sure they enjoy you as much or more.
Flutter, what happened with your dad's visit?
Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
My Dad didn't come for time and financial reasons. I don't have the heart to tell him I have no desire to go back out there. I want to sell it.
All these years we did what we could to keep it because of emotional attachment. Our little cottage in the woods (sigh).
My 5 year old loves it out there and I don't even want to think of how she is going to react next summer if we decide not to go, or to sell it.
I just am so afraid right now of ticks, and trees and anything to do with nature. God knows I love the serenity and peacefulness of the place.
And I love my Dad and worry about him. He will be going home to Florida. Hopefully I can get to Florida to see him this winter.
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