Tick Repellents

[LNN]

As the kids are now spending more time outdoors, I started doing research on tick repellents, trying to find alternatives to deet. Thought I'd post this...http://www.nvhd.org/INFECTIOUS/lyme/tickbiteprevention05.pdf Pg4-6

 

Regard this guy's information with a grain of salt. He states earlier in the paper that only 20% of ticks in CT carry lyme (this is from 2005). In 2009, a tick sweep of New Haven County found 90% of deer ticks were infected. He also says you can't get infected if the tick has been attached for less than a day, when other studies put the risk at about 12%. So not sure how accurate his info on repellents is, but thought it was at least something to go on.

 

I see picaridin mentioned a lot on other lyme forums, but this paper suggests it's more effective for mosquitoes than ticks (you find picaridin in Natrapel, Cutter and a few Avon repellents). This paper suggests that Avon's insect repellent with IR3535 works as well as deet for ticks but not so well for mosquitoes. So I guess I'll be using Avon's bug repellent with sunblock (water proof) for ticks plus a picaridin spray for mosquitoes (don't need to deal with West Nile on top of Pandas/lyme)...

 

I've also now packed a small snack sized ziplock and tweezers into my purse and one for the car glove box - can't stand the thought of going to the park and finding an attached tick and not being able to pull it off immediately)

 

If anyone else has info on other products, would love to know about them before I stock up. Also, anyone have input on the best way to treat a yard for ticks?

[dcmom]

For the yard:

 

Damminix tick tubes for the yard (you can order online).

 

Also, you can spray perimeter areas with permethrin.

 

Pants tucked in socks is suggested, looks really cool, too . Take playclothes off in garage, and throw right in washer. Hat is probably not a bad idea.

 

Ticks like wooded areas, tall grass, stone walls, bush or flower beds- I do not allow my kids in these areas on a regular basis.

[LNN]

Thanks for the yard info.

For what it's worth - I've read that ticks can survive a bath in the washing machine. It's suggested you take those play clothes and put them in the dryer on high for an hour to kill the ticks - the heat dries them out - and then wash as you normally would. I guess I'll have to chose between the electric bill/searing all those grass stains into to clothes with the high heat vs. appeasing my PTSD fears or reinfection...

[matis_mom]

Thanks for the yard info.

For what it's worth - I've read that ticks can survive a bath in the washing machine. It's suggested you take those play clothes and put them in the dryer on high for an hour to kill the ticks - the heat dries them out - and then wash as you normally would. I guess I'll have to chose between the electric bill/searing all those grass stains into to clothes with the high heat vs. appeasing my PTSD fears or reinfection...

Such a fine line between keeping them safe and not driving them crazy(er)! We've sprayed the yard, and have cut back a lot of vegetation. I try to keep them out of the woods, but it's just so tempting... I plan on giving them each a pair of lightweight pants to put over their regular clothes when they go in the woods. You can spray permethrin on clothes and supposedly it lasts 2 weeks. That way they can put on their "permethrin pants" when they go into the woods, and I won't drive myself crazy with the laundry thing (I don't think I could keep it up on a daily basis). I also like them to wear rubber boots, seems less likely that a tick would attach to rubber? I don't know, but we are not moving any time soon, and we can't leave in constant fear. I've been a lot more diligent about bathing all little people each night and checking them all for ticks, so far so good thank God!

Next on my list is to get dh white painter overalls for when he goes mowing (14 acres, lots of trees!) He already got a double-whammy as soon as we moved here: West Nile and Lyme together! We don't see many mosquitoes (courtesy of the bats, I guess), I wonder if ticks carry West Nile too?

[dcmom]

LLM - heard that too.

I do the washer first, then hot dryer for about an hour. Will plan to spend more time at the pool, less time in the yard.

 

Permethrin is good for shoes/ clothes- but it must be toxic- I try to avoid mixing chemicals/kids.

[philamom]

Columbia Sportswear for great kids's and adult protection clothing.

www.columbia.com

(Bug Shield line)

[philamom]

As the kids are now spending more time outdoors, I started doing research on tick repellents, trying to find alternatives to deet. Thought I'd post this...http://www.nvhd.org/INFECTIOUS/lyme/tickbiteprevention05.pdf Pg4-6

 

Regard this guy's information with a grain of salt. He states earlier in the paper that only 20% of ticks in CT carry lyme (this is from 2005). In 2009, a tick sweep of New Haven County found 90% of deer ticks were infected. He also says you can't get infected if the tick has been attached for less than a day, when other studies put the risk at about 12%. So not sure how accurate his info on repellents is, but thought it was at least something to go on.

 

I see picaridin mentioned a lot on other lyme forums, but this paper suggests it's more effective for mosquitoes than ticks (you find picaridin in Natrapel, Cutter and a few Avon repellents). This paper suggests that Avon's insect repellent with IR3535 works as well as deet for ticks but not so well for mosquitoes. So I guess I'll be using Avon's bug repellent with sunblock (water proof) for ticks plus a picaridin spray for mosquitoes (don't need to deal with West Nile on top of Pandas/lyme)...

 

I've also now packed a small snack sized ziplock and tweezers into my purse and one for the car glove box - can't stand the thought of going to the park and finding an attached tick and not being able to pull it off immediately)

 

If anyone else has info on other products, would love to know about them before I stock up. Also, anyone have input on the best way to treat a yard for ticks?

I like the Avon Bug Guard plus Picaridin insect repellent towelettes & spray. My only concern is that my daughter wont bathe everyday. Are these products (picaridin/deet) safe on the skin overnight? I would like to find something I could use daily for protection while at school (2 recess).

Any suggestions?

[lmi1973]

Oh wow, I feel so naive... I'm just now switching over to the lyme board from the pandas/pitand as I am pretty convinced my son (and possibly I) have lyme. My son and my dad are buddies and are out in the woods on their 40 acre property almost daily. They hunt there, fish there; in additon, we live in the country - I saw two dead deer carcasses on my walk last night with the dogs. I don't know why, but, I was almost thinking we didn't have to worry so much about reinfection?! Almost like a cold or something - already have it so immune. We have to be really vigilant on spraying/checking still? I realize this must sound like a stupid question, just threw me for a loop reading it. We see a local LLMD this Thursday, I feel like I was just starting to understand the pandas/pitand stuff and now I'm trying to learn about LD!

[LNN]

I like the Avon Bug Guard plus Picaridin insect repellent towelettes & spray. My only concern is that my daughter wont bathe everyday. Are these products (picaridin/deet) safe on the skin overnight? I would like to find something I could use daily for protection while at school (2 recess).

Any suggestions?

 

I'm looking at these products because they seem to be fairly safe (tho who knows what research will reveal 20 yrs from now). Better than deet, is my thinking. I've read in the past that some of the ingredients in sun block are carcinogenic, so in trying to protect against skin cancer, you might be increasing the odds of something else.

 

IMHO, overnight exposure to these ingredients are probably better than an overnight exposure to an attached tick. These products lose their efficacy over 3-4 hrs if not sooner, so I'm guessing any risks decline over time as well. But maybe I'm just making myself feel better. You can only do your best.

[LNN]

I don't know why, but, I was almost thinking we didn't have to worry so much about reinfection?! Almost like a cold or something - already have it so immune. We have to be really vigilant on spraying/checking still? I realize this must sound like a stupid question, just threw me for a loop reading it. We see a local LLMD this Thursday, I feel like I was just starting to understand the pandas/pitand stuff and now I'm trying to learn about LD!

Since our kids are already on cocktails, the risks of a re-exposure are probably much lower than they'll be once they're done with treatment and no longer on abx (can you imagine a time when that could happen?!). But I think many of us are in that stage where any tick instills fear. The same fear I had in the first winter of Pandas and I disinfected door handles and light switches and dreaded birthday invitations to "hands on" kid entertainment places.

 

For me, being tick-vigilant serves three purposes - first, it makes me feel like I'm making up for the time when I had no clue and

"let" my kids get infected and go untreated (sort of a "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" thing). Second, it makes me feel like I'm protecting DH and me - we can't afford any more family members in the club. Third, I feel like I'm developing habits for myself and my kids for that eventual day when abx don't fill our cabinet.

 

As for feeling bowled over by having to learn about another controversial and hard to treat microbe, we've all been there. At first, you're not sure you have the energy or stamina to do it all again. But eventually, if the puzzle pieces start to fit together, you pick up information and knowledge as you need it and before you know it, you realize you've gotten your sea legs again.

 

No stupid questions. We're all still learning. I hope your appt goes well...

Laura

[philamom]

I like the Avon Bug Guard plus Picaridin insect repellent towelettes & spray. My only concern is that my daughter wont bathe everyday. Are these products (picaridin/deet) safe on the skin overnight? I would like to find something I could use daily for protection while at school (2 recess).

Any suggestions?

 

I'm looking at these products because they seem to be fairly safe (tho who knows what research will reveal 20 yrs from now). Better than deet, is my thinking. I've read in the past that some of the ingredients in sun block are carcinogenic, so in trying to protect against skin cancer, you might be increasing the odds of something else.

 

IMHO, overnight exposure to these ingredients are probably better than an overnight exposure to an attached tick. These products lose their efficacy over 3-4 hrs if not sooner, so I'm guessing any risks decline over time as well. But maybe I'm just making myself feel better. You can only do your best.

I agree. Thanks!

[Bill]

My oil of geranium in an almond oil base (10 drops/tablespoon) seems to be working. I put two swipes on my dog's collar and one swipe on her tail once a week. She's 12 lbs; this certainly covers her. A larger dog might need more; I've seen conflicting information on whether or not this might burn the skin (I've not noticed any) so I only apply to her hair. I also place a drop on each of my socks, perhaps a drop on the inside tag of my shorts and a dab at the very bottom of hairline on neck (in case it discolors the hair I can always clip it) before I go out.

 

I've ticks galore and started this at the first signs of ticks about a month ago. Neither the dog or I have picked up any since (that I can see) and I spend a lot of time outside.

 

I've also seen reports where folks say it does not work at all but others chimed in that one has to make sure they buy a quality oil. I found a small bottle at a local health store - think it was $13/ounce so not cheap. Other than potential for burning on the skin, I don't know of any negatives. (Oh and apparently don't use essential oils on cats; don't know why.)

 

As an added bonus, both I and the dog smell wonderful.

 

bill