Ticks

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I've said elsewhere that I take 'em out with the tip of my Mora - like taking the eye out of spud! Make sure you remove plenty of meat to ensure you've got the head. I then plug the remaining hole with sphagnum moss.
;^)

Jim
 
DEET! As strong as you can get! Put it on the ankles and calves.

And, I like the permethrin idea - best to stop the little blighters attaching in the first place.

If you are walking with a partner, you could try things army jungle stylee and give each other a thorough inspection every evening, including armpits, backs of knees and the cleft of your a**e! :eek:

If you are that worried, you need someone else to help check that things have not attached in warm moist areas. This is v difficult with a mirror...:D
 
Nikwax now do an insect repellant, I picked up a 'Skitostop Insect control for fabrics' spray at the Outdoor show. it contains permethrin and does not effect fabrics and waterproofing like DEET can.
Also for the dog I found 'Parasite Repel' spray from a vet supplies website. It's natural and can be used on livestock and small animals.
If that lot doesn't work - 'Take off and nuke them from space, it's the only way to be sure'.
 
I'm always amazed when people on here say they have never had a tick. One trip my partner ended up with 49 micro ticks just on one leg, I've heard a strip of sellotape can be useful for the really small ones.

Indeed.

If i stand anywhere near a patch of bracken, they go for me. My record count is over 60.
 
Hi,

My observations lead me to believe that ticks are prevalent in different areas: I live on a wooded smallholding in mid-Wales and I walk my dogs most days of the year on the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, and other areas of open country nearby. To the best of my knowledge they've never picked up a tick even in long grass or deep bracken from around here. However every time I take them to Snowdonia the collie in particular manages to pick up several ticks; he even picked up one at the end of March this year from the Cadair Idris area. Is this a bit early for ticks?
 
Not that long ago I saw an episode of All Creatures Great and Small, and there was a part were sheep were suddenly getting ticks because some type of plant had been removed from where the sheep were normally kept. The plant was re-introduced and the ticks disappeared. I don't recall much more than that, but the mention of ticks being prevelent in one area and not in another made me think of this program right away. Anybody know about a tick and plant connection?
 
I was out at Findhorn village a few days ago, i literally walked 4 feet through some long grass and had 15 when i checked. I also had one from camping last weekend, was on my knee. Makes me want to stay in :s
 
Cool links :approve:

cheers,
Toddy

p.s. pennyroyal grows easily enough and the Tansy and Melissa (lemon balm) are weeds in my garden, if you want some let me know.
M
 

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