Anything deadly in Europe??
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
Yes, it does seem to struggle sometimes (It's the language you see, there are no prepositions, to, from, in to, out of, etc), but rather 15 different case endings which are added to a word - meaing that it can quite possibly bear no resemblence to the original)
PS Vaseline not a good idea for tick removal, it makes the tick throw up its stomach contents into you, the same as olive oil does (mentioned earlier in this thread). Stay safe
I just want to make sure that if there are some common problems with animals or in this case ticks that I am at least prepared mentally for an issue that may arise, and with ticks I will make sure I pack some tweezers in the first aid kit.
one thing I don’t want to happen is I get 1/4 way into the trip and discover that I have overlooked a very common but simple to problem to avoid if I had the correct tool.
the longest trip I have done to date is only 3 weeks so this one which I am expecting to be between 3 - 6 months is going to be a learning curve!
thanks for all the advice though, these forums have been sooooo valuble in the way i have looked at this trip.
one thing I don’t want to happen is I get 1/4 way into the trip and discover that I have overlooked a very common but simple to problem to avoid if I had the correct tool.
the longest trip I have done to date is only 3 weeks so this one which I am expecting to be between 3 - 6 months is going to be a learning curve!
thanks for all the advice though, these forums have been sooooo valuble in the way i have looked at this trip.
To use this method you need to be able to see the tics, so I can see a few strained necks trying to get the ones you can't see.
On the subject of permethrin, I used it when I went to Namibia. You basically use it on your clothes and mozzy nets by soaking them in a bag with the stuff and some water. Let it dry out and it should last about 10 washes (I think). Seems to deter mozzies well. Once it's done and dried you don't even know it's there. Highly recommended. Not sure you'll need it for europe though as I don't believe malaria has got quite that far north (though I may be wrong).
Be careful using permethrin. I used to take trade effluent samples form the wool mills around here. Permethrin was used (along with a few others) as a moth proofer on carpets etc.
If you read the full hazard details and research papers it can effect the nerves by stripping the myolin sheath. Heavy use of permethrin was/is has been indicated as one of the potential factors trigering Gulf War Syndrome.
It works very well but does get over used.
If you read the full hazard details and research papers it can effect the nerves by stripping the myolin sheath. Heavy use of permethrin was/is has been indicated as one of the potential factors trigering Gulf War Syndrome.
It works very well but does get over used.
humans- they're in my experience the most dangerous and unpredictable animal (worldwide) especialy in or close to civilisation
besides this: ticks, moscitos and other isects- they can give you nasty diseases
wild pigs- especially with piglets (counts for other large mammals as well)
feral dogs, foxes and other predators- can attack you directly and carry rabies as well
"disappointed by the monkeys, god created man. then he renounced to further experiments." mark twain
Scots_Charles_River
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Scorpions in the south of france, localised swelling/poisioning, biting ants.
Gaurdien sheep/goat dogs in mountain areas of France, Suisse and Spain. Don't approach any white dogs near sheep flocks, they will attack you, even if you are going over to stroke them. They are used to protect flocks from Bears, Wolves and Lynx.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4454045.ece
Lats year the Vaucluse (southern alps/provence) paper, had an article about wolves that, in a pack, had driven flock of sheep over a cliff into a small gorge then only ate a few, mainly the guts, one night. Big debate about wolves versus livestock going on there. Guardien dogs take flocks up to the pastureat dawn and then down at dusk, with no human involvement, amazing animals. Although border collies are used too.
Nick
Gaurdien sheep/goat dogs in mountain areas of France, Suisse and Spain. Don't approach any white dogs near sheep flocks, they will attack you, even if you are going over to stroke them. They are used to protect flocks from Bears, Wolves and Lynx.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4454045.ece
Lats year the Vaucluse (southern alps/provence) paper, had an article about wolves that, in a pack, had driven flock of sheep over a cliff into a small gorge then only ate a few, mainly the guts, one night. Big debate about wolves versus livestock going on there. Guardien dogs take flocks up to the pastureat dawn and then down at dusk, with no human involvement, amazing animals. Although border collies are used too.
Nick
LOL 
If you are near to the coast watch out for Germans - I have heard they can be quite nasty if their beachtowells are disturbed from sun loungers
Adders are definately a thing to avoid wherever possible from experience I was bitten twice by one as I lay in my sleeping bag in the early 70s it could have been problematic but I was fortunately able to get medical attention fairly quickly. It apparently was attracted by the heat of the sleeping bag and slithered in beside me. Not fatal but not nice.
I also know of no less than 3 soldiers chased by wild boar in Germany when they went to spend a penny behind some bushes and interupted mum with piglets, that is 3 different occasions not all at the same time. Apart from ticks if you make enough noise whilst travelling on foot most of the bigger badder beasties will move away and the noise will alert them to your presence rather than surprising them.
I also know of no less than 3 soldiers chased by wild boar in Germany when they went to spend a penny behind some bushes and interupted mum with piglets, that is 3 different occasions not all at the same time. Apart from ticks if you make enough noise whilst travelling on foot most of the bigger badder beasties will move away and the noise will alert them to your presence rather than surprising them.
Anyone here used a 'Tick Hook'?
Its a little plastic thingee that looks like a small crowbar, you slide the tick into the slotted end and twist it around and it'll remove the tick intact (no leaving the head or mouthparts behind, which can sometimes happen with tweezers, plus squeezing a tick must squish its gut contents out and into you)
We use them all the time, as the cats do keep bringing the little bleeders home with them
Try Wilkinsons (probably in the pets section), herself thinks they're a quid or so
They are quite small so could go in a pocket kit and I find them a lot easier to use then any other mecanical method of de-ticking
Its a little plastic thingee that looks like a small crowbar, you slide the tick into the slotted end and twist it around and it'll remove the tick intact (no leaving the head or mouthparts behind, which can sometimes happen with tweezers, plus squeezing a tick must squish its gut contents out and into you)
We use them all the time, as the cats do keep bringing the little bleeders home with them
Try Wilkinsons (probably in the pets section), herself thinks they're a quid or so
They are quite small so could go in a pocket kit and I find them a lot easier to use then any other mecanical method of de-ticking
Depending on where you go but there are still wild pigs and bears in many european woodland. Not much you can do with a first aid kit in that case though
Lesser and Greater Weaver on the coast. A poisonous fish with spines on its' back and gills. Not gonna be a problem unless you walk barefoot in the sea or go fishing. Pretty much the same as most of the problems here. I'd take a look at various publications, pack kit for the more likely things such as bites and stings from insects and cuts from improper knife usage, add a few large shell dressings and triangular bandages and get some training so that you know how to use it all.
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