Ticks and Lyme disease

[Someoldguy]

Take a look at the amount of livestock feed that is contaminated by pigeons and starlings, especially at dairy farms. That's why the USDA is involved.

If the USDA is really interested in curbing such a problem, I think they could do better than 1 guy with a pellet rifle a couple of hours a night and once or twice a month. The dead birds aren't taken away, he just tosses them in the trash. Not much feed contamination going on in the middle of a metro area either, I don't think. But, trying to rationalize the actions of Federal Government agencies is an exercise in futility, based on my experience. YMMV.

 

[sbhooper]

Back to the Lyme disease, I got it a year ago. One thing that you have to know, is that the head of the tick has to be attached for 24 hours to get the disease transferred. I got it, because I got rid of the tick and did not realize right away, that the head was still there. It showed up as a black spot after I got the rash. Make sure ALL of the tick is removed.

 

[snert]

If the USDA is really interested in curbing such a problem, I think they could do better than 1 guy with a pellet rifle a couple of hours a night and once or twice a month. The dead birds aren't taken away, he just tosses them in the trash. Not much feed contamination going on in the middle of a metro area either, I don't think. But, trying to rationalize the actions of Federal Government agencies is an exercise in futility, based on my experience. YMMV.

Simple truth: When all the rules are written by the government excluding all "take initiative for yourself", (shoot yer own dang pigeons), along comes a guy who likely isn't even getting paid to do it, but can, cause he's with the gubmint. In the end, it gets done poorly, ineffectively and it cost us all money. Keep that in mind every time a new law is passed. Seen it...cause I was with the gubmint!

 

[savagedasher]

Two aspirin taken before you go in the wood works great . Larry

 

[seymour fish]

Two aspirin taken before you go in the wood works great . Larry

Never totally discount any claim, no matter how outlandish. So, HOW does this work ?

 

[savagedasher]

Never totally discount any claim, no matter how outlandish. So, HOW does this work ?

I assume it get in your blood and and they don't like it but it does work . Larry

 

[JRS]

I assume it get in your blood and and they don't like it but it does work . Larry

 

[seymour fish]

I assume it get in your blood and and they don't like it but it does work . Larry

Well, I eat garlic and never been bit by a werewolf, so will take it under advisement

 

[KMart]

State local and federal prohibit pigeon shooting??? Gawd what has this country come to. Even in NY the common pigeon is a non-game (means shoot em all) species. I have found that many localities prohibit discharge of pigeon shooting implements. However, understanding businesses actually had me come in at night and well, no more pigeons. And pigeon crap carries all kinds of virus. Really bad to inhale dried pigeon poop dust.

Live pigeon shooting, both box birds and hand thrown, is great fun and expensive. In the end, about the only one that makes any money is the guy that supplies the birds. I have been told this by some of my friends.

 

[PAshooter20BR]

Ticks in my area of PA are very bad and seem to be getting worse. More and more Ticks are testing positive for Lymes disease. The company I work for actually pays to have all ticks that employees find attached sent off and tested for lymes disease. The lab can tell you how long they were attached and if they are positive or not. The permythrin clothing spray by sawyer works. We treat all our gear. Use the CDC website for Tick information. It's standard practice when the kids and I get home from outdoor activities everyone gets checked. Removing them properly and soon will keep you clear. Ticks actually regurgitate when they detach from you and that is how you get lymes. If you remove them properly and don't squeeze or break the tick your chances of contracting are reduced.

CDC.gov search for Lymes

 

[bcott]

I am in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from May thru Oct. This area is loaded with Lyme carrying ticks and, of course, mosquitos and deer flies. I ordered out a gallon of Permethrin (.6% concentration) and spray all clothes, shoes, hats, etc.... that I wear outside. The spray will last around 40 days and/or 6 washings(according to the label). The mosquitos still buzz around me, but do not land... No ticks either, so far.

I have found on the internet a source for 36% Permethrin. That should REALY do the trick. I plan on ordering out a gallon in the VERY near future. I will mix up a stronger solution, probably around 2 to 3%, and start using that.

Do NOT spray yourself with Permethrin. Lots of warnings from various sources about this.

Carl L.

 

[captn t]

Take a shower asap when you get home and wash entire body with Head and Shoulders !! Let the soap stay on body for a few min. This works good for ticks as well as red bugs . Also works well on dog for both ticks and fleas . Capt T

 

[Fury]

I'v been ghog hunting for over 15 years and always find a few little brown ticks on myself after returning from the fields. 2 &1/2 weeks ago I found one firmly attached to my leg and I grabbed the thing and threw it into the toilet. I noted he was firmly attached but did not really look at him. A few days later I had a sizable red rash at the site and figured a little skin infection so I applied antibiotic ointment. The rash got dark and spread. I remembered Lyme disease is due to a deer tick bite and had a distinct rash so I Googled "Lyme dis". Holy crap!!! I had that rash! Lyme dis is indigenous to the NE states but has been see in the South. I was prescribed doxicycline twice daily for 2 weeks. The rash is gone and I trust I avoided the disease. One of the side effects of this med is sunlight hypersensitivity...a rash or very easy sunburning. I got the latter. I used sunscreen and wore long sleeve shirt, but the backs of my fingers got hit...very red and very sensitive. Shower water was painful and running my hand into my pocket was unpleasant. I learned a valuable lesson as full blown Lyme dis can be crippling. I now spray DEET on my ankles and pant legs and put an elastic around my pants at my ankles, and very carefully examine my body after getting home. Warm wet spring and the presence of deer everywhere means these ticks can be in your backyard. Be observant!

Had a few ticks on me when I was out turkey hunting. Luckily they were wood ticks and not attached to me. They say on the news ticks are worst this year then any other years.
Seem like now that whenever you go into the woods you are guaranteed a tick or two on you. Went hiking yesterday and found one.

 

[Mikey_P]

Also, there are two more {that I know of} tick born diseases that dogs can get. Cant remember the one {anaplasmosis???}, but erlichiosis is the other and pretty bad for dogs.

Babesiosis is yet another tick borne disease that can affect dogs (and other mammals). Nasty, but treatable. Constant vigilance is the name of the game when dealing with ticks...

Mike

 

[OldManTA]

Take a shower asap when you get home and wash entire body with Head and Shoulders !! Let the soap stay on body for a few min. This works good for ticks as well as red bugs . Also works well on dog for both ticks and fleas . Capt T

I was told by a vet a long time ago not to use Head & shoulders on a dog; it will damage their eyes. I suppose if you can keep it from around the eyes there won't be a problem?

 

[CaptainMal]

Friend I retired with back in 1999 got Lyme Disease bad in 2000, He is not a hunter but lives near the woods outside Pittsburgh. By 2001 he started having hideous nerve pain. No real marks on the skin to show anything. Couple more years of pain, doctors, travel to more doctors, pain and hideous suffering and the diagnosis - Lyme Disease.

Ruined what's left of his life. Clinics in Cleveland, St. Louis, Phoenix and even a nursing home in Jackensville that specialized in Lyme Dieseas patients did little good. Near 18 years later he is still alive but a mess. Daily pain, great expense at medical treatments and increased incapacity has been his fate to date. To him there is no real cure or solution but death.

 

[VaRandy]

Sure hope he has tried Mary Jane by now.

 

[scubohuntr]

My late wife contracted Lyme's disease, and had periodic arthritis-like symptoms the rest of her life. Most ticks don't carry the disease, but it only takes one. One of the best tips I ever got is to pick up a couple of smallish flea and tick dog collars (your vet can tell you which ones work best) and put them around your ankles to keep your pants legs tight around your boots. It won't keep them all off when you're messing around in waist-high brush, but it keeps them off from the knees down or thereabouts. Since most of the collars claim whole-dog protection (implying the spread of some sort of anti-tick goo away from the collar), I wouldn't leave the collars on when you don't need them, and make sure to wash thoroughly after handling them.

 

[JRS]

Be very careful when using flea and tick collars.

 

[spclark]

Ticks can carry several diseases that affect mammals, none of them good.

Fortunately we have antibiotics that, if taken early enough after a suspected infection, just might stop its development.

This webpage has maps showing distribution of ticks that can transmit diseases to humans. I'm surprised it's not yet been updated to include deer ticks, but there's a map here that helps fill in the gap.

Didn't consider this much when I moved from Il up into WI four years ago but having found deer ticks on me - only one attached (so far) - after practices and or matches.

Dr. told me 98% of deer ticks tested in WI test positive for Lyme, so I'm a believer in Permethrin and DEET to avoid another round of antibiotics as a prophylactic....