posted
Hi all -- have just gotten several newspapers here to do articles here for May Awareness month. Plus I may get more involved with media work. Naturally, one of the first questions that was asked of me was about tick repellants.
Could those of you who are in the know post the basics or tell me where I could look for tick repellant basics info? Has such a compilation sheet or sheets already been made?
I would like to have basic facts info ready to hand out on about recommended tick repellants for people, animals and environment.
Both the toxic repellants and hopefully nontoxic ones that could work too -- I would really like to know if there are nontoxic solutions.
Which repellants are for clothing, which ok for skin. What's good for camping gear. Whether they're for adults and/or kids. Which repellants for which animals. How to protect the yard/environment. How to protect a camping site. How long the applications last. Whether available at stores/online.
Thx!! -- Robin
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Tincup
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posted
Would you like sugar and cream with your coffee too?
I thought I'd pop in here and offer some help... but this might take a while! HA! It looks like you have about a 15 part question here. BUT...
Hang on and I will try to get you some info from my files... but I am sorry dear one that I don't have time to sort it all out into answers for all the questions you've asked. OK?
You might go to General Section and do a search for prevention and/or repellents. We have had some good discussions on it in the past. Even here in Medical Section too if I remember right.
Also.. the Army in Aberdeen Maryland has some good information on prevention.. and fact sheets you might find if you yahoo or google.
Tincup
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posted
Ok.. this is an article from several years ago.. but I don't think much has changed. It is based on "general prevention tips". But it should help with some of the items you were looking for.
Prevention is the Key for Tick Borne Disease
Lucy Barnes
The prevention tips below may help lower your risks from exposure to ticks and help prevent you and your family from becoming ill from tick borne diseases.
1. Wear light colored clothing so ticks can be spotted easier and sooner. Consider tucking your pant legs into your socks but be aware this may give ticks a direct and undetected bee-line straight to your head if your clothes aren't treated properly with Permanone. Tie up long hair and/or wear a hat that has been treated with tick repellent.
2. Do tick checks often while outdoors and as soon as you return home. Do a thorough tick check after your shower and again a few hours later. Check your children daily and teach them to make a `tick check' a regular habit, like brushing their teeth. Be sure to also check your pets daily for ticks.
3. Try using a rough surfaced scrubby or wash cloth in the shower to dislodge any ticks that might not have attached themselves completely.
4. Shampoo that is designed to kill lice on humans may be used on occasion to kill ticks after a heavy exposure (example- after walking through nests of larval ticks). Read all label directions before using lice shampoo products on your hair.
5. For most people, the occasional use of insect repellents isn't always enough to prevent tick exposure. A clothing treatment, Permanone, kills ticks and can be used by those who frequent the great outdoors. Permanone can be purchased in a spray can for approximately $6.00 at your local sporting goods store. Once treated, clothing may be washed and worn again for up to two weeks. It is highly recommended for treating shoes, boots, backpacks, and all outdoor wear. It has no scent so it can be used by hunters and those sensitive to perfume smells. Ticks, chiggers, and other insects that are trying to crawl across properly treated clothing will die, not simply be turned away or ``repelled''.
Be advised, it can only be applied to clothing, NOT to your skin. Permanone can also be sprayed on screens, some furniture, and around buildings foundations for additional protection. Be sure to follow all safety precautions on the label and keep it out of the reach of children. You may keep clothing that has been treated with Permanone in plastic bags with a dated tag for easy access and maximum protection.
6. Don't use fragrances that attract bugs, such as perfumed soaps, lotions, and creams. Natural insect repellents like citronella, garlic, rose, and geranium oil can be applied to exposed skin for added protection.
7. Keep a bristle brush outside to brush off clothing when returning home. Place all clothing directly in a clothes dryer and run it on hot for 40 minutes to try to kill ticks.
8. Anything you can do to make your property less hospitable to deer, mice, and birds will have a impact on the tick population. If you have a large yard or wooded area, consider creating a ``safe zone'' for you and your family. You may not be able to prevent all ticks from entering the safe area but you can certainly reduce the numbers. Deer fencing can be used to help provide the ``safe zones'' in your yard if desired.
9. Keep all grass cut SHORT so any ticks that try to hide there will be exposed to more sunshine and hotter, drier conditions. Ticks tend to crawl up tall blades of grass so they are better able to latch on the innocent passerby.
10. Discourage deer and other wildlife from feeding in your yard by spraying 'edibles' with a garlic or hot pepper spray.
11. Keep playground equipment and play areas in sunny locations in your yard. Do not use wood chips in play areas because it provides ideal living quarters for ticks.
12. Keep bird feeders away from the house to discourage mice (a favorite host of ticks) from gathering or nesting near or in your home. Set traps to remove mice from the home.
13. To treat your yard or other outdoor areas, a product called SEVIN (sold as a concentrated liquid or dust) can be applied. Sevin seems to have the least offensive chemical odor and is recommended for killing ticks. It can be applied to your dogs bedding area to help kill ticks that may gather there. Carefully follow the directions on the label. Sevin is usually less expensive than some of the other products on the market.
14. Acorns and berries attract white-footed mice and other wildlife. Removing them from your safe zone might lessen the chance of additional tick exposure.
15. Depending on your property layout, you can create a barrier around the edges of the open grass where the wooded areas meet your safe zone. Place a layer of wood chips 3 feet wide and 1-3 feet deep between your grass yard and the woods edge. Ticks are attracted to the wood chips because of the shade and moisture it provides. Treat the chips regularly with Sevin or Permanone to kill the ticks living in or trying to cross the barrier. Be sure to keep pets and children out of the treated wood chip area.
16. Save the cardboard inserts from toilet paper and paper towel rolls. Treat cotton balls with Permanone and place the cotton balls loosely inside the cardboard holders. Place the containers along the borders of your property. Hopefully any mice nearby will carry the treated cotton balls to their nest, exposing ticks to the treatment.
17. Consider making your pets either inside pets only, or outside pets only. Studies show pet owners are more at risk for tick bites and contracting infectious tick borne diseases. Remember, even if you don't roam in unsafe areas, your pets do. They can carry ticks back into your house, exposing everyone inside. Ticks can live for over 6 months without a blood meal and an adult female can produce 2-5 thousand off spring.
Some homes have been treated for tick infestation after female ticks laid eggs indoors, the eggs hatched, and the tiny ticks took up residence. Be sure to remove ticks from your clothing before getting into your vehicle. This will prevent ticks from calling your car their home.
18. A special note to hunters- Check yourselves, your clothing, and your dogs before going home after a days hunt. If you are lucky enough to bag a deer or other wildlife, wrap the animal in a treated sheet as soon as possible, or properly hang the deer over an old sheet that has been liberally treated with Permanone. As the deer cools, ticks will drop off. As ticks land on the treated material and try to escape, they will die instead of taking up residence in your yard. This will help to prevent exposure to your family, your pets, and other families in the neighborhood. Deer meat or meat from other wild animals should be cooked thoroughly before eating. When butchering or handling raw meat, disposable gloves should be worn.
19. Pets should be checked daily for ticks. Consider treating your pets with one of several products designed to kill fleas and ticks. Contact your veterinarian for more specific advise on the proper flea and tick control for your pet.
20. Consider removing shrubbery and flowers from the base of your house or treat those areas with Sevin to prevent ticks from being in close contact with your home. Removing shrubs will also discourage animals from nesting or bedding there.
21. If you suspect you may have a tick borne illness, or are bitten by a tick, or have the classic bulls eye rash (which is present in only a small number of those infected), seek advise from a doctor who is a member of ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases (see information below). If you or your children get flu like symptoms, joint pain, fatigue, depression, or any illness that does not resolve or returns after treatment is stopped, consider Lyme disease and other tick borne infections as the possible cause.
22. If you suspect you have Lyme disease or any other tick borne diseases consider the possibility this could cause problems for your friends or family members. Spirochetes that cause Lyme disease have been found in breast milk, the uterus, semen, urine, blood, the cervix, tears, brain tissue, and other body fluids and tissues, so do take all necessary precautions to protect the ones you love.
23. If you are bitten by a tick, prompt and proper removal is essential to prevent the ticks fluids from being forced into your body. To remove the tick, place tweezers as close to the skin as possible and steadily pull the tick out from the same direction it entered. Clean the site with rubbing alcohol and cover it with antibiotic ointment to help prevent secondary infections.
posted
Thanks! Great article-and timely too! Finally got the courage today to rake the flower beds where I got lymed last year...Did a lot of Popeye style swearing...*&%$#**!*&@#$$%# while I worked Used to love to garden...instead of planting flowers my new mission is catching chipmunks! Tell Magic Acorn her squirrels are still safe in my yard Sue
Posts: 249 | From finger lakes, ny | Registered: Jul 2006
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Tincup
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posted
Hello??
You didn't respond. I was hoping you aren't upset at my teasing above?
Just to note...
After years of trying every kind of insect repellent on my skin that has been invented.. I like this one best...
Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus EXPEDITION Unscented with Vitmain E
It comes in a 4 oz. spray can and says it is good for 8 hours.... and works better against bugs than everything I have ever used for the skin.
The unscented factor is great for hunters and anyone who can't stand the strong smells of other brands. Kids don't mind it because it is a light spray and doesn't choke them with heavy smells.
And no.. I don't sell Avon products... nor do I know anyone who does.... nor do I make money promoting them. (I knew someone who did sell them.. but they have moved so I am without a supplier for now.)
posted
Thx, Lucy, for all your posts. I just got home after working late tonite. I popped in here to see if anyone had responded. I'll read it all tomorrow, and yes, I'll have coffee with you tomorrow morning... Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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robi
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-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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treepatrol
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posted
Ckeck in newbie links
Page 4
Permethrin How to apply Permethrin How to apply Permethrin Pic Permethrin Site Discussion on Repellants ALDF Four Poster Coup Tick Testing Tick Testing Proper Tick Removal Proper Tick Removal
The on-line Virtual Tick Museum is a searchable database containing 49 993 peer reviewed tick collection records.
Virtual Tick Museum Data Base Link
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Thanks you guys for the posting this fab info
Tinnie: does the Avon Skin -so -soft- Bug Gaurd plus Expedition- repell ticks too?
And & where do you get it?
The deet products I have been using~the smell makes me sick~ even the "unscented products"
I don't know any avon reps in my area.
Thanks Dana
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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D Bergy
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posted
Not only does light clothing make ticks easier to see, but they are attracted to dark colors. Dark colors indicate a meal to a tick.
D Bergy
Posts: 2924 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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treepatrol
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posted
quote:Originally posted by D Bergy: Dark colors indicate a meal to a tick.
D Bergy
Where did you here that at? that dark clothes equil meal to ticks?
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
Dana..
Yes.. it says on the front of the can it repels mosquitoes and deer ticks for 8 hours.
And ANY deet on me now makes me sick. I had to use it when working so was covered in it about 10 hours a day. NOT healthy!!!
I got mine.. and I ordered a case of it back when.. from an Avon representative after seeing her and the product in the local county fair at a booth. But she moved .. so now I'm without an Avon Lady.
I just checked this site and maybe you could locate a representative near you or order online?
D Bergy
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Member # 9984
posted
I seen the dark clothes thing on a TV show a few years ago. Apparently many insects are attracted to dark colors as well according to the link below. Most of their prey such as deer and bear are dark in color.
D Bergy
Posts: 2924 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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hardynaka
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posted
Bugrepel didn't work for us here, even in the highest concentration the maker proposed. My daughter got bitten with the normal and high concentration solution.
Would rose geranium ONLY work? In what concentration?
I'm also looking for solutions for small children (not poisonous).
Thank you, Selma
Posts: 1086 | From Switzerland | Registered: Oct 2005
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robi
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posted
bioud will be available later this summer in the southern states. The company is still working on getting state approvals.
robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
Thx all for responses. Am still reading thru info. The BioUD looks promising.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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valymemom
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posted
I appreciate all the good information and reminders, Tincup.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Question about Avon Skin-so-Soft: some people in support groups here think it works ok as a tick repellant, others think it isn't strong enough.
I'd like some feedback from any of you about whether you think it's strong enough or not. Thx!
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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This is in German, not about Avon, but about Autan Active Lotion.
it was tested in Germany specifically against ticks among many other products, and it tests very good against ticks (4 hour protection). It ranks number 3.
It's a bit old article, but the product I'm using now is the first of the list (Zanzarin), the only problem is that it's oily, difficult to use on clothes, so I'm still looking for other alternatives for clothes.
I don't know if you can get the same product there in the US though.
Selma
Posts: 1086 | From Switzerland | Registered: Oct 2005
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Tincup
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posted
We MAY be talking about different products?
YEARS ago we contacted Avon and told them that their "Skin-so-Soft" (SSS) bath oil was able to keep gnats out of our face/eyes/etc while we were working in the mountains/fields... and it was able to kill pine bark beetles too. Yes.. I tried it.
Needless to say...
They were totally insulted I would even THINK to use their "beauty products" to repel anything... especially bugs (how UNlady like) and they refused to listen or accept it.. and even sent me a note chewing me out about it.
Today.. the SSS products.. the old oil and other by-products like it CAN do a wonderful job of keeping gnats off you. Also some other bugs too.
However.. I don't notice that it is good at keeping ticks away.
So years ago we made up little bottles for our day packs (Ranger- hiked 20 miles a day on patrol in back country).. and put in 1/2 Avon SSS... and 1/2 Cutter Bug Repellent liquid. Between the two, we got real good protection.
BUT..
Today they are making this NEW bug repellent and I DO use it and think THE NEW product does do a good job with ticks. It is wonderful for no-see-ums and mosquitoes too.
Now...
If you use ANY or all repellents.. will it totally protect you if you do something so smart as to press your luck and roll in the high grassy fields?
posted
Any more responses for nontoxic tick repellants? I see we still have questions open here about whether rose geranium is a decent repellant and also what are nontoxic or at least safer repellants for small children. Thx all.
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