The Bloodsuckers are Back in NH. Vampires? Nope, Worse, Ticks.
*Disclaimer: This blog post was not written by a doctor, it was written by a tick-hater who spends a lot of their time researching. Do your own research and talk to a doctor before trying any new health regiments.
Which ticks are the baddies?
Getting bit by any tick is not fun. BUT, not all ticks carry Lyme Disease. In fact, only the devilishly handsome, Black-Legged Tick (AKA: The Deer Tick) (AKA AKA: Ixodes scapularis) is known to carry Lyme disease and only infected Black-Legged Ticks can give you Lyme. Don’t get me wrong, those other suckers can spread some other nasty ailments but if the tick stuck to you doesn’t look like this:
You probably don’t need to worry about Lyme Disease…this time.
Can I just ignore them?
I wouldn’t. Everyone has a different comfort level. Some brag about how many ticks they pulled off themselves after a hike and some pass out if they see a tick on their pants. How much someone was exposed to ticks and what they were taught about them- can affect how threatened they feel when these daytime vampires come crawling.
Most people I’ve talked to try to avoid them but there are some misconceptions about where they come from or how they getcha.
Ticks do not fly, jump, or drop. They hang out at the ends of plants and in leaf piles and wait for a creature to brush up against them and then they cling onto it like a cat in a bathtub- so avoiding them is not always an option.
It's smart to take some extra precautions to keep you, your family, and your pets safe.
When are they around?
ALWAYS. Not to be dramatic but you should be aware that ticks can be lurking during any season. In NH, we think about them mostly from October through November, March through May and then again during their up-tick (haha) in the summer months. Unfortunately, ticks are around all year and daily tick checks are a good idea regardless of the season.
Most ticks only spread disease after being attached for a while so if you check yourself often and catch a tick early, you’re much better off.
What can I do?
Here are some habits you could adopt to protect yourself.
TUCK. IT. IN. Think about the path for a tick. They want to grab onto the legs of an animal and crawl upward until they get to the tasty torso- so the first step is to cut off their path. If you tuck your pants into your socks then they can’t get onto your leg skin. If you tuck your shirt into your pants, they can’t get onto your torso skin. If you pull your long hair back and wear a hat, they can't get onto your scalp skin. When you cut off their path, you stop them from reaching your skin and you make it easier to spot them and flick them away. It's also a good idea to wear some light colors so you can notice them faster.
When you come back from being out in nature, give yourself a pat down. You can run your hands over your limbs and body to check for any bug-shaped bumps. A neat thing to do is to use a lint-roller. If you run a lint roller over your body after a walk, not only will it find a lot of the ticks, but it will also get them stuck on the paper and make them easier to dispose of.
Next, we’re going to talk about repellents which can be a controversial topic so bear with me.
Can I use the natural stuff?
Of course, you can, but… know that science has not been able to prove that natural bug sprays and essential oils actually do anything. There are some oils out there that people believe ticks avoid. Citronella, tea-tree oil, peppermint, cedar oil, eucalyptus, lemongrass, just to name a few; these may help keep ticks away but science is skeptical if they truly work, mainly because ticks can’t smell.
Ticks use sensors on their front legs to search for CO2 emissions coming off of animals- so those scented oils are likely not strong enough to hide your CO2 emissions from these little predators or stop them from biting you. Personally, I’ve tried essential oils and they have yet to work for me. Most days, I just felt like I was marinating myself for the ticks to enjoy.
If there was a natural way to keep these dangerous bugs away would be great! Unfortunately, we have not found one yet. Many experts are concerned that people using essential oils or ‘natural’ bug spray are heading into the woods with a false sense of confidence and could be endangering themselves. Right now, in the time of Lyme, its a good idea to pull out the big guns and use chemical-based bug spray.
What bug sprays work the best and why?
DEET DEET DEET. DEET is the big player in bug sprays, just the smell will likely bring back memories of camping trips and summer days at the lake. DEET is the active ingredient in most bug sprays and it is very effective. It repels the insects so they don’t even get the chance to land on you.
Some people are cautious of DEET because (like most chemicals) if you misuse it, it can be harmful. Read the directions carefully. (For more info check out: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/toolkit/deet.pdf)
Picardin is DEET alternative. You spray it on your skin and clothes just like DEET. It is a synthetic version of the natural repellent found in pepper plants. It creates a barrier and also prevents insects from landing on you. It is more commonly used in Europe and Australia and may be a better option for those who are not big fans of DEET. (For more information check out: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents.html)
Permethrin is a chemical that can be sprayed on clothing and fabric. It immobilizes ticks and helps with mosquitos as well. You can buy clothes that have already been treated with permethrin OR buy the spray and add it to your clothes and fabrics every 6 weeks or 6 washes. (Note: there are a lot of safety precautions when doing this, so do your research. Also, keep in mind that it’s harmful to cats. For more information check out: https://www.consumerreports.org/insect-repellent/how-to-use-permethrin-on-clothing-safely/)
Protect the fur-babies!
Chews, and sprays, and shots, oh my! Talk to your vet about a tick prevention plan. That way, you can stop your fur-baby from giving ticks a one-way ticket into your home. They also have a Lyme disease vaccine for dogs that vets often recommend for dogs in wooded areas. I’m adding this to the list of reasons it’s better to be dog; it’s right after couch naps and right before not paying rent.
What do I do if I get got?
Been bit by a tick? Try not to panic. There are a lot of resources to help you figure out what to do next. Your next steps have a lot to do with the type of tick, the amount of time it was on you, and if you still have the tick or not. UNH and other labs offer a service where you can send them a tick you removed from your skin and they will test it to see if it’s carrying any nasty diseases. ( https://extension.unh.edu/tickreport)
Always keep an eye on your health after a tick bite. Be on the lookout for things like fever, fatigue, rash, and feelings of general cruddy-ness. You can research what specific symptoms you should be looking for after you research what kind of tick took a bite out of you. Also, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor and ask them when you should worry.
Be aware, not afraid.
Though I have a deep hatred for ticks, the nature-lover in me respects their right to thrive. They are a necessary part of the ecosystem, and I refuse to let my fear of them keep me indoors. That being said, if a tick tries to feast on me: it’s on. Now, until I can gather my army of opossums, chickens, and guinea hens (all excellent tick-eaters), I am going to keep up my regiment of
-tucking my clothes in
-doing daily tick checks
-using the chemical repellents that work best for me
-learning from those who know more than me
-changing my plan if new info becomes available
-talking to my doctor and vet
-being aware but not afraid.
For more information check out:
https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/documents/ticks-biology-mgt.pdf
