Going on holiday

[dut]

Hi - sorry if this a daft post/question but we're off on hoilday june/july to central oregon. Beautiful spot but rental house has proud photos of deer in the backyard and I nearly didn't book it but talked myself down, booked it but now would like to know how to avoid getting ticked. Is this a reasonable concern?

 

(background 2 pandas kids, no known lyme component)

 

Thanks.

[philamom]

Walk in the center of trails. Try not to brush up against stalk-like shrubs or leafy palnts, esp. when in shade. Use repellant. Also, maybe check into the insect shield line for socks, shorts, exc.

 

Most important- daily tick checks. The nymphs can be quite small. Also, shower before bedtime (or when returning from the outdoors).

 

Have a great time!!

[LNN]

Avon sells a repellent that's a sunscreen and tick repellent IR3535 http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=7894

 

Nightly tick checks and run your fingers through the scalp several times. You are looking for something that may be the size of this period. They can be amazingly small. You may also want to get a tick removal device (here's a review and some general guidelines) http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~acarolog/needham/tickgone.htm If you do find a tick, place it in a ziplock bag with a moist paper towel in case you need to test it.

 

But like philamom said - enjoy yourself!

[dut]

excellent - thank you both

[dut]

sorry - last question - LLM that avon product is deet free. Is deet a necessary for ticks? Don't like the idea of putting deet on the kids but might hate the idea of ticks more...

 

thanks again..

[LNN]

I hear you. For short exposures, I have a stock of Avon SSS. But if we were campers, I'd probably opt for DEET.

Here's a decent overview - doesn't seem overly biased one way or the other. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1088411-overview#showall

 

Permethrin is also worth considering. It's also discussed in the above article.

[dut]

thanks

[philamom]

I've purchased a couple pairs of Bugsaway socks (crew & ankle) at www.exofficio.com for my husband. Also got him a golf shirt, short sleeve and long sleeve tee at www.zorrel.com. The T-shirt was 24.95 and long sleeve was 29.95. There were a few items cheaper. You can find youth apparel at www.insectshield.com. Their t-shirts run 17.95, baseball hat 16.95, sweatshirt 18.00. There's also an insect shield head buff for females with built in insect repellent and uv blockage for 27.00 -they are nice looking - can't remember the site.

 

The insect shield line kills any ticks that come in contact. It may be good for some hiking days.

[philamom]

Avon sells a repellent that's a sunscreen and tick repellent IR3535 http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=7894

 

Nightly tick checks and run your fingers through the scalp several times. You are looking for something that may be the size of this period. They can be amazingly small. You may also want to get a tick removal device (here's a review and some general guidelines) http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~acarolog/needham/tickgone.htm If you do find a tick, place it in a ziplock bag with a moist paper towel in case you need to test it.

 

But like philamom said - enjoy yourself!

They also sell a Tick Removal Kit for $10.00 through the Red Cross, Greenwich Chapter. It includes fine point tweezers with magnifier, gloves, alcohol pads, guaze pads, adhesive strips, labeled zip lock bag, pencil, tick indentification guide and removal information card - all packaged in Red Cross bag with belt loop. I just purchased two (one to keep in the car).

 

www.lymediseaseassociation.org

Edited April 5, 2012 by philamom

[911RN]

Hi - sorry if this a daft post/question but we're off on hoilday june/july to central oregon. Beautiful spot but rental house has proud photos of deer in the backyard and I nearly didn't book it but talked myself down, booked it but now would like to know how to avoid getting ticked. Is this a reasonable concern?

 

(background 2 pandas kids, no known lyme component)

 

Thanks.

 

If wearing pants- not shorts- you can tape pants to socks to prevent. Duct tape works. Sounds crazy but it is effective. Not too attractive- you nor kids will win any trail fashion awards:) Most important- check your heads/hair carefully daily and warm parts of body where tics like to travel and hang out. Arm pits, groin etc.

 

Happy tick free travels!

[philamom]

Ok - I know you guys are sighing "enough already" but I found another site with the insect shield line. www.haeleum.com

 

The shirts are nice and have uv protection, wrinkle free, easy care. A few good youth shirts.