Tick Problem

[cronos]

OK I no the season is almost over now, but “to be for warned is to be for armed”.
Out in Germany, especially were I am we have an infestation on deer tick.

So the question is, are there any natural remedies that repel tick from sinking their little jaws in?

Cheers Cronos

 

[Mantic]

Stilts?

 

[Bisamratte]

I found one the other day and I had only been walking on paths ,the only explanation is that it dropped from a tree because all the pathside growth is well cut back...so Im not sure that even stilts would help

I dont know of anything that stops them from digging in but I find checking my legs when ever I take a rest helps. I usually find them before they bite.

Hope this helps

Andy

 

[Rebel]

So the question is, are there any natural remedies that repel tick from sinking their little jaws in?

I've often wondered the same thing. I've never heard of anything. How about rubbing garlic all over your body?

 

[Draven]

As far as I know, there's nothing that'll stop them.
Strangely, I've never been bitten by a tick although a cigarette or freshly-burnt-out match will help in removing them...

 

[Ed]

although a cigarette or freshly-burnt-out match will help in removing them...

That will also cause the tick to spasm and regurgitate its stomach contents directly into your blood stream .... so not really recomended.... just gently remove them with a set of tweezers / finger nails / specialist tick removing tool.

Ed

 

[Moonraker]

OK I no the season is almost over now, but “to be for warned is to be for armed”.
Out in Germany, especially were I am we have an infestation on deer tick.

So the question is, are there any natural remedies that repel tick from sinking their little jaws in?

Cheers Cronos

Check out thiese recent posts on this;

death warmed up (tick bite) - natural products etc.

On ticks generally;

no vaseline

On recommended methods of tick removal;

Tick Removal

There are LOTS of threads about ticks so it's always worth doing a search

 

[spamel]

The ticks have been quite bad in Germany the last few months. A friend had one on his arm and it was the biggest tick I'd ever saw!! It could have only been on him 10 minutes max as we had only just got on the ground so to speak, but I've been had a few times this year, normally they don't get the chance. Saying that, I've been shadowing deer a lot through the woodline and crawling about a lot more than I usually do, I got within 15 metres of a deer the other week and didn't spook it, that was after moving through 200 metres of woodland to get in position so I was chuffed. Didn't have my camera though, sorry!!

Back on topic though, I went to my med centre and got some tick removal tools, they look like little claw hammers, and you just twist away and they come off, antseptic wipe the bite area (or if you have forgotten your antiseptic wipes, a dab of the good stuff!), and search for the next little blighter!!

Make sure you are fully aware of the dangers of Lymes disease in your area and the correct method of removal, the easy ways are normally the wrong way!

 

[Bisamratte]

just out of curiosity what would happen if you just left the tick to "have its fill"? Would it simply drop off or do something nasty like lay eggs under your skin?

I have no intension of experimenting with ticks, im just interested what its life cycle is.

Andy

 

[Doc]

There is good evidence that the longer an infected tick is attached, the greater the risk of Lyme disease transmission.

Ticks should be removed as soon as you find them.

Left attached the tick swells as it becomes engorged with blood, and then drops off.

 

[spamel]

Let's not forget that not all ticks carry the disease, I wouldn't like to think that somebody would be scared if they found a tick and worried for the next fortnight waiting for a rash to develop on the bite site!!

I have seen a picture of the bruising/rash that develops and I must say it is a lot larger than I expected it to be. It will be quite obvious if you get one, the picture I saw was about 2 or 3 inches across! Of course, leaving it on is not advised, just remember that only a minority carry the disease which increases the more south you go and I believe the further east you travel (as in across the continent!)

 

[Neil1]

I think I posted the original information on the Tick Removal Tools way back, after a conversation with a local vet.
Down here in Devon we have a real problem with them, some areas worse than others, but still worse than anywhere else I have worked.
I use full trousers, sealed off at the base, gaiters, I keep my cuffs done up and I sleep in a hammock, so I should have all bases covered.
Two weeks ago I was out for two days/nights and picked in excess of fourty of the little blighters, it took three days to find them all. A SERIUOS PROBLEM
N

 

[Longstrider]

More than 40 at once! I thought I was unlucky the time I got 2 in a day.

What did you do for 2 days and nights Neil? Roll around in the long grass sky-clad? (don't get me started, that could actually prove to be fun with the right company!)

 

[crazydave]

just like mossies garlic flavour blood helps as they dont like foreign food - find the pills that do give you smelly breath and double dose them - this makes your body give off a french odour which the creepies dont like.

we used to use this as being an antibiotic helped with other cuts and nasties - unfortunately the smelly pills are harder to find.

I'm told those ultrasonic bug repellers work but havent tested them

hammocks work so far - if you have them on you then you allready have a problem.

 

[Mikey P]

That will also cause the tick to spasm and regurgitate its stomach contents directly into your blood stream .... so not really recomended.... just gently remove them with a set of tweezers / finger nails / specialist tick removing tool.

Ed

We had a whole thread about the correct removal of ticks about a month ago.

In terms of natural stuff to stop them, I suppose any of the things you use as insect repellents (like citronella) may work.

Yeah - Germany sucks (the ticks do, anyway).

 

[drstrange]

I heard that the best way to remove them is to run a big hot bath and lay in it for ages, the ticks don't like being drowned and just let go. I not sure if they float tho.