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Can't get away from the ticks!

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Posted 12/4/2018 12:13 PM (GMT -5)
I had found 8 ticks on myself over the summer this year, none attached. I'm not even outside or in the woods like I would normally be if I were well. Sunday was an exceptionally nice day for this time of year around here, 65f and sunny. We had been covered in snow for the week prior. I thought I would take advantage of such a nice day so I grabbed my carving knives (took up wood carving as a hobby while I've been sick) and my 22 and headed into the woods to carve some Christmas ornaments for gifts and maybe get a few squirrels.

I thought after all of that snow the ticks would be gone. WRONG! I found 1 on me in the woods and 1 more once I came out. Ugh. That's 10 for the year. I use permethrin spray on my clothes but I admit I didn't this time because I was convinced ticks were done for the year. Where I live and my lifestyle I don't think I can avoid ticks.

I remember when I first started coming to this site someone mentioning an herb that prevented bites or future infections maybe? Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm bound to be bit multiple times again sad. Wife said I need to start taking the dog's Nextguard. Man I hate ticks! It seems like they seek me out now.
Posted 12/4/2018 12:25 PM (GMT -5)
Yikes Mike!!

I think the ticks are around all seasons...

Is it Astragalus you’re thinking about?
You can take it when first bitten
Posted 12/4/2018 12:29 PM (GMT -5)
Take a look at this older thread:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3448680
Posted 12/4/2018 12:53 PM (GMT -5)
Drinking cistus tea is supposed to deter ticks too. I have no idea if it works.
Posted 12/4/2018 1:17 PM (GMT -5)
Use Permethrin in your washing machine, wash EVERYTHING with the diluted version. Don't put anything you would wear in the city in there unless you want to smell like chemicals.

don't go in any areas where the grass is higher than 12-18"
buy 34% Permethrin and dillute it down. on amazon comments people talk about it how to dilute it to the 2-3% or whatever % you need. Use distilled water
spray all areas in the spring and fall every 3-6 weeks, twice.
put out mice trap boxes with one-bite
there are flowers and herbs you can grow that they don't like -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum
Posted 12/4/2018 1:25 PM (GMT -5)
The only time I venture off trail is in the winter, even with only 5" snow, our ticks seem to still take deep cover. Still get a little paranoid though.

In the summer I stick to the center of the trails, but It's odd how there can be tick "hot spot" areas very close to almost tick free areas (minimal miles in proximity).

Post Edited (astroman) : 12/4/2018 12:14:33 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/4/2018 1:27 PM (GMT -5)
So scary. Does deet work for ticks? I had been using natural bug repellents but think I might have to bite the bullet and sadly use chemicals from now on.
Posted 12/4/2018 2:13 PM (GMT -5)

HeartsinPain said...
So scary. Does deet work for ticks? I had been using natural bug repellents but think I might have to bite the bullet and sadly use chemicals from now on.

No, nothing.

I prob got lyme while having DEET on me years ago.

Permetherin, the chemical is only for cloths but it works.
Posted 12/4/2018 6:04 PM (GMT -5)
Rose geranium eo and citronella gives me some comfort . In the movie lyme life they duct tape up the kids ankles and openings b4 hunting lol
Posted 12/4/2018 6:16 PM (GMT -5)

bluelyme said...
Rose geranium eo and citronella gives me some comfort . In the movie lyme life they duct tape up the kids ankles and openings b4 hunting lol

I use rose geranium in my spray bottle too - with water and witch hazel (to blend the water and oil)

I found the recipe on this site

http://www.primallyinspired.com/homemade-tick-spray-natural-repellent/

It’s difficult for me to judge if it works well because we don’t often see ticks here.
Posted 12/5/2018 1:23 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks all for the replies. I think astragalus was it, thanks girlie. I thought it started with an a. I'm a little leary of it though after reading the linked post. I will try rose geranium too.

It seems like I'm a tick magnet now. My wife's uncle and I brush hogged the fields this summer and I had 3 ticks on me and he had none on him. We were in the same area doing the same thing all day long. Other times I always seem to be the one that gets the ticks.
Posted 12/5/2018 1:43 PM (GMT -5)
Re: tick magnet - I am so surprised that I don’t get ticks on me because I get mosquitoes swarming me more than my husband and son - and when we had a cat with fleas, I was the only one who got flea bites.

I think , in part, it’s due to the fact that the ticks aren’t as prolific here...where I live.
Posted 12/9/2018 10:57 PM (GMT -5)

HeartsinPain said...
So scary. Does deet work for ticks? I had been using natural bug repellents but think I might have to bite the bullet and sadly use chemicals from now on.


I am Many Years into this. "Friend" with dying teenager who is now recovered. She is posting all her current pleasures (gardening) and has decided to use DEET. I think it is a very personal decision with a lot of wild card mectronics. At my age (65) I think if I had the opportunity to garden all day, I might opt for DEET AND xeroscaping. Make your yard as inhospitible to ticks as possible. Lots of article about this on the web. I hate t say it, but at my age I might opt for DEET. Reluctantly.
Posted 12/10/2018 12:57 AM (GMT -5)
Ive been out in tick country a lot (NW Wisconsin is tick center), and DEET does not deter them one bit. I got lyme with DEET on me, before I learned better.

Plus most people put DEET on their skin and there is some research that supports this might not be safe.

Spraying Permetherine on socks, shoes/boots and maybe pants the night before seem to work. Its not safe for the skin though.
Posted 12/10/2018 2:03 AM (GMT -5)
I've read that Permetherine is the best and DEET doesn't work as well.

As Astroman stated - not for the skin - just the clothes.


I just use and EO spray...but I've read it needs to be applied often...I think like every hour or two.
Posted 12/10/2018 10:19 PM (GMT -5)
Permethrin is sold as a lotion to be put on your skin as a prescription medicine. It is relatively safe. It is deadly to your cat. No need to put it on your skin however, just wash your farm/work wear in a dilluted form from the 38% bought online, and it will work, along with spraying everywhere Spring and Fall twice. Don't spray your cat in the face it'll die. Use Fiporal or whatever -- frontline, for your cat. Also Ivermectin also works but not for dogs that have the MDR gene, it will kill them. Any dog with "shepherd" or "*herd" in it will die. My dogs are fine.
Posted 12/10/2018 10:37 PM (GMT -5)
Ticks don't hibernate like bears, once the temp goes above 7C/45F, they will come out.
Posted 12/10/2018 11:42 PM (GMT -5)

oregonhay said...
Permethrin is sold as a lotion to be put on your skin as a prescription medicine. It is relatively safe. It is deadly to your cat. No need to put it on your skin however, just wash your farm/work wear in a dilluted form from the 38% bought online, and it will work, along with spraying everywhere Spring and Fall twice. Don't spray your cat in the face it'll die. Use Fiporal or whatever -- frontline, for your cat. Also Ivermectin also works but not for dogs that have the MDR gene, it will kill them. Any dog with "shepherd" or "*herd" in it will die. My dogs are fine.

What do you mean “as a prescription medicine” ?
You don’t need a prescription to get it right ?
It’s not sold in Canada and difficult to bring in via online ordering apparently.

.....I just have indoor only cats. 😺
Posted 12/11/2018 1:55 AM (GMT -5)
Lets not get people confused.

Permethrin is a chemical name that comes in several forms. Its made by a chemical company.

The version in aerosol spray tick replants is NOT to be used on skin, says so on the labels of every brand that uses this.

http://www.repel.com/products/personal-repellents/clothing-gear/clothing-gear.aspx

The version in NIX lice treatment is marketed for topical use and most likely not as strong.
Posted 12/11/2018 1:24 PM (GMT -5)
prescription medicine means from your doctor. If your doctor feels you need the lotion version for human, he will write what is called a prescription. Then typically you would go to a pharmacy and purchase it, sometimes with insurance. The lotion version contains chemicals. Lots of things contain chemicals, in fact, all things technically are made out of chemicals including organic food. There is nothing special or "non-chemical" about herbs, "organic" food, that makes them not consist of chemicals. The method of action for these things are based on the specific chemicals found in the substance, herb, spray, etc.
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