[GeoStL] Re: Ticks - Myths and Facts
- From: Mike Lusicic <lusicic@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 12:47:56 -0500
-
Very good!
I don't tuck my pants in my socks. Too hard on the socks, and too
uncomfortable. I went to Uncle Sam's and bought blousing rubbers, and use
them on the outside of high top boots, like in the military. But I think I
may add the duct tape. That sounds like a good idea.
Mike Griffin wrote: - So that some of the people new to caching and the
outdoors understand the reality behind ticks, I have put together a primer
tohelp you out. There is a great article in Backpacker magazine that covers
ticks and how to avoid them. It is mainly centered around Lyme disease but
has some useful info. Lyme disease is rare in this area. In the past 10
years, 5 cases have been reported in this area of Missouri. Some could have
been from travel outside the area. As an amateur arachnologist, I have
studied ticks and spiders for many years and I still consider them the
greatest gift to the natural world. When it comes to Lyme disease, there are
a couple of things you should know. Missouri Department of Conservation will
tell you that there have been no documented cases of Lyme Disease. I said
there have been reported cases but, for them to document it as Missouri
Lyme,it must have originated in Missouri. They have no proof of this. This
should be enough to convince you that ticks are not deadly. However, they do
carry other diseases that can be treated with antibiotics. The sure sign of
early Lyme is the red ring that forms around the bite and slowly moves
outward. Within a couple of days, it becomes noticeable. At this early
stage,it is easy to detect and treat. Don't take a chance if you see the red
ring expanding. When a tick buries its head into your skin, it forms a
cementbond that keeps it in place while it excretes a chemical that breaks
down tissue and allows them to absorb the blood and fluids they desire.
Therereally isn't any documented length of time a tick can wait for a host.
Some ticks will have several hosts as they morph from a nymph to an adult
andothers will have one host. Ticks have been known to live over 3 years,
even through the dormant Winter, without ever attaching to a host. A quick
overview of the cycle of a tick is as follows... Female lays eggs, Eggs
become Larvae, Larvae attaches to birds or small mammals, Tick becomes a
nymph, Nymph attaches to a host, Tick feeds until it becomes an adult, adult
males detach and look for females usually on the host, male breeds and then
drops and dies, female continues to feed, eventually dropping off and laying
eggs. In some cases, the female will lay eggs on the host. Identification In
Missouri, we have all 3 species of ticks. 1) Deer Tick - often called seed
ticks and are very small. Females are bigger and often are 2 tone brown with
the head and back being darker than the legs. 2) Lone Star Tick - Most
commonin Missouri. Females have a white dot on their back. This is where
theyget their name. A big misconception is the males have a spot too. This
isnot true. Males are the most common tick and often called a dog tick or
brown tick. These ticks are more round than oval. Almost all ticks here in
Missouri are Lone Stars. 3) The American Dog Tick - These are the largest
ticks and they are more oval than the other ticks. The male and female are
almost the same size. They are brown with darker brown spots on their backs.
The adults are usually the ones that feed on us and dogs. Lone Star and Deer
Ticks carry Lyme. Dog ticks do not but they can carry other diseases.
Prevention. Where Light Clothes when in the field. I can't stress this
enough. People who head out into a field with dark clothes are going to get
skin buried ticks. Light clothes has them show up easier and you can pick
them off. Tuck your pants into your socks and tape them with some duct tape
if possible. This keeps them on the outside. Also wear shirts tucked in and
make sure they are light colored as well. Some people talk about ticks
dropping from trees overhead. While this may be possible, it is highly
unlikely. These critters are ground dwellers that usually get no higher that
a weed. Birds love to eat ticks so climbing a tree would be like marching
into the oven. Spray your clothes with Permethrin. You can buy Cutter's and
other brands of this but I use Equate brand Bedding Spray from Wal-Mart.
Samestuff only a buck cheaper. Spray clothes until moist and allow them to
dry completely. Spray shoes, socks, pants, shirt, undies, etc... It will
lasta couple of washings and a few rainy days. Carry a spare set of shoes,
socks and pants in the vehicle. If you can, change clothes and place your
clothes into a plastic bag and put them in the trunk. When you get home, pop
them in the dryer on high for 10 minutes. This will ensure all hitchhikers
are incinerated. Do a tick check often. When you get home, have your
significant other check for all sizes of ticks. Remember, some may be
smallerthen a pinhead. If you do not have someone that can check, use a
mirror. Obviously, avoiding high grass and marshy fields would be the way to
go... Tick Removal There are several ways to remove a tick but the
underlyingprinciple is the same. Grasp as close to the head as possible and
pull it gently upwards and outward until it comes out. Try and get the whole
thing and do not squeeze the body when pulling. Tweezers work best. You can
also put a straw over the tick body and slip a thread with an overhand knot
down the straw. Tighten the knot under the straw until it is tight and then
pull the tick out. I have never done this but I hear it keeps the tick from
regurgitating and helps heal the wound quicker. Do not use polish, a match,
or any other nonsense to remove the tick. Wash the area with soapy water or
alcohol and make sure you kill the tick. I flush em. Do not squeeze them!
Wash your hands if you removed them barehanded. I was out placing a cache
today and was wearing my favorite white pants. I had close to 150 ticks that
I flicked off my pants and I really didn't bushwhack that much. I had them
from tiny to full adults. Just keep in mind that by late summer or early
fall, they are usually gone. Another misconception is that we have to have a
frost or freeze before they are gone. Not true, they go dormant in the fall
regardless of temperature. However, the later the heat lasts, especially
withrain, the longer the tick season. Don't let your summer caching fun get
spoiled by these little buggers.. Just take the proper steps and have fun...
Now Chiggers! Well, that's a different story! Mike Tired of Spam?? Here's
your solution.. See: http://www.spamarrest.com/affl?4001050[1]
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