Banner Year For Ticks??

[DayTrip]

This past Sunday I took a short cruise on a trail network on a reservoir near my house and wound up going off trail here and there looking for some new vantage points to view the water. When I got back on the official trail I did a quick tick check and was horrified at how many were on me. My area in general is pretty bad for ticks but this was over the top nuts. I quickly found and removed well over a dozen ticks of various sizes and when I got home about 30 minutes later I found two already attached in my stomach area. Yikes!! I'll usually pick several ticks off my clothes when I hike local or walk the woods behind my house but very, very rarely does one attach.

Anybody else seeing unusually gnarly tick activity in their area? I bought some Permethrin two years ago that I ultimately never used (I have a cat and I guess it is pretty toxic for them) but I am seriously reconsidering it's use. Never seen anything quite that aggressive.

 

[Chip]

Yes. Very bad in western CT.
Took about a dozen off the dog a couple weeks ago before her tick shampoo bath and k9 advantix II application.
Better since but pants, shirts, Permethrin, Deet, etc will be standard issue in CT.
Not sure about NH yet.

 

[peakbagger]

FYI, My reading to date is that Permethrin is toxic to cats only during application of the product and while its drying, once its sprayed on the clothes and dried it is not readily available to cats to ingest. You have a couple of options, buy clothing with a factory applied coating (not very practical), send your clothes to specialist that will apply the product, do your own application keeping the cat separated from the process until the Permethrin has completely dried. A lot of the concern is that in areas with high tick concentrations, Permethrin is being applied at much higher concentrations over lawns and landscaping then the concentrations used for clothing.

The landscaping firms don't seem to care that in addition to the ticks, the Permethrin is also killing a lot of handy insects like spiders. If kitty is hiding under a bush when the stuff is sprayed or when its drying that's another story. I think the biggest issue with toxicity is that folks are buying products designed for dogs which contain permethrin and using them on cats.

I have no doubt that they are going to be bad going forward as the climate warms up. When I first moved into the North Country they were non existent, they slowly made their way up along the Androscoggin River into the area. Shelburne NH and the west end of the Mahoosucs is now quite "ticky" and on rare occasions I have seen wood ticks near my house near the Gorham Randolph line. Luckily the deer population is quite low in the north country and most studies show a pretty close correlation between high deer populations and deer ticks. Since you are in CT, its pretty much down to that if you are outdoors and haven't gotten lymes disease you are in the minority. You may want to talk to your doctor to get some doxycycline. There is another attempt at Lymes vaccine, with hopefully less potential for side effects but I believe its couple of years out and there are several other nasty lesser known viruses in addition to Lyme's so its time to up your game or get out of the woods.

I suggest the soak method is far more effective than the spray on method which inevitably has significant overspray and has poorer coverage. Especially with a cat in the picture I would suggest not using aerosols. Here is a link to the soak method. http://sectionhiker.com/permethrin-soak-method-guide/

Put some newpapers down under where the clothes will dry and then package them in the ziplock you used to soak and then throw it away.

 

[Ramblings]

For the past few years, I've used this service to treat my outdoor clothes rather than applying Permethrin myself:
https://www.insectshield.com/ISYOC.aspx

It's much easier, lasts much longer and I don't have to worry about poisoning my cat.

 

[DougPaul]

I bought some Permethrin two years ago that I ultimately never used (I have a cat and I guess it is pretty toxic for them) but I am seriously reconsidering it's use. Never seen anything quite that aggressive.

My understanding is that it is safe for cats after it has dried. I would also keep the treated clothing away from them as an additional precaution.

IIRC, this was confirmed by Larry Dapsis (Deer Tick Project Coordinator, entomologist, at http://www.capecodextension.org) at a local presentation several years ago. Also stated in https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents.html.

While I don't think the tick problem is as bad here (NW Boston suburbs) as you are experiencing, I haven't found a tick on me. (I treat my hiking clothing and my "civilian" socks with permethrin every month and use deet or picaridin on exposed skin as needed.)

BTW, there is some good tick info at http://www.capecodextension.org/ticksinsects/. (Cape Cod has been a hotbed of ticks for many years...) More info at https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents.html and https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents-tips-on-using.html.

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

For the past few years, I've used this service to treat my outdoor clothes rather than applying Permethrin myself:
https://www.insectshield.com/ISYOC.aspx

While they don't appear to say what they are actually doing, their description is consistent with commercial application of permethrin. ExOfficio also sells clothing that is treated by the same process: eg https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/102146/exofficio-bugsaway-talisman-plaid-shirt-mens.

The description of the ExOfficio shirt linked above states that Insect Shield uses permethrin...

Doug

 

[TJsName]

It's much easier, lasts much longer and I don't have to worry about poisoning my cat.

Whoa - a cat repellent that also works on ticks?

 

[TomK]

Bad in NW CT

My brother fly fishes the Farmington River in NW CT, and warned me the ticks have been pretty bad. Despite not getting anywhere near places he would expect to pick up ticks, he has already found several on himself, and was preparing to treat some clothing with Permethrin.

TomK

 

[Ramblings]

While they don't appear to say what they are actually doing, their description is consistent with commercial application of permethrin.

Under the Insect Shield FAQ it says "Insect Shield apparel and gear products combine the Insect Shield process with a proprietary formulation of the insect repellent permethrin resulting in effective insect protection that lasts the expected lifetime of a garment."

I have not found a tick on my body while wearing Insect Shield treated clothing, so it seems to be effective.

 

[DougPaul]

While they don't appear to say what they are actually doing, their description is consistent with commercial application of permethrin[/url].

Under the Insect Shield FAQ it says "Insect Shield apparel and gear products combine the Insect Shield process with a proprietary formulation of the insect repellent permethrin resulting in effective insect protection that lasts the expected lifetime of a garment." [/url]
Thanks--I didn't look very hard.

I have not found a tick on my body why wearing Insect Shield treated clothing, so it seems to be effective

Same here, except I use spray-on permetherin (in other words, both methods of application work).

Doug

 

[richard]

I found 4 of them on me. I've never found one on me before. I thought I might be immune to them. I guess not. I was very upset. I bought Permethrin from amazon. No more bushwacking for me.

 

[DayTrip]

Thanks to everyone for the specific links to more info. I had planned to do a lot more bushwhacking this year so I guess I'm going to have to use a treatment of some sort.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I have heard it was a bad year for ticks. One day I picked 11 off Gryffin and that was by far the most. Many days since I haven't seen a single one, so I would say it's below average here so far (greater Manchester, NH area).

Tim

 

[Ken MacGray]

I've been bushwhacking a lot lately in central and southern NH, and I'm amazed I haven't found a tick on me yet. I'm usually a magnet for the damn things.

 

[iAmKrzys]

I use permethrin and I have witnessed several ticks crawl up on my clothing only to get paralyzed and fall off within minutes. It's not a scientific study but good enough for me. I have not found a tick attached to me since I started using permethrin.

 

[egilbe]

I use permethrin and I have witnessed several ticks crawl up on my clothing only to get paralyzed and fall off within minutes. It's not a scientific study but good enough for me. I have not found a tick attached to me since I started using permethrin.

Ditto.

I have two cats. No ill effects from permethrin trated clothes, but they are sealed off from the drying process.

 

[Greenmountaingoat]

At this time of the year I stick to the low elevation walking trails (near where we live in Essex VT). Two years ago I had a total of 6 on me (none attached) from one walk on an old woods road that's not heavily used. Last year nothing but this year I've removed one that hadn't attached and one that had from my neck. What a pain in the...neck.

So informal assessment is that it's worse than last year but the spring season isn't over yet.

 

[Jazzbo]

I think number of ticks is partly related to natural environments one travels through. Last summer I took wife and son on nice easy hike up to scenic knob in Ashland NH called Whitten Woods. I thought they would love it as trails are maintained mostly grassy with very easy footing. On way down we started seeing ticks on our socks and when we got back to camp we started picking ticks off like crazy easily 15-20. Grass is definitely bad news. I had same experience walking on a trail going across a grassy meadow. I did 8 mile bushwhack at 2000-2400' elevation through combo of open hardwoods, birch glades, and thick spruce - not a single tick. Of course spring hasn't really kicked in at tht elevation. Monday was warmer and I had to traverse some brushy clear cuts on west slope of Mount Carr and had two ticks to show for it. Temperate forest lands of southern New England I think it is best to stay on the trail. They also seem to be at their peak during spring. Based on previous comments I think I will definitely look into getting some permethrin.

 

[DougPaul]

I think number of ticks is partly related to natural environments one travels through. Last summer I took wife and son on nice easy hike up to scenic knob in Ashland NH called Whitten Woods. I thought they would love it as trails are maintained mostly grassy with very easy footing. On way down we started seeing ticks on our socks and when we got back to camp we started picking ticks off like crazy easily 15-20. Grass is definitely bad news. I had same experience walking on a trail going across a grassy meadow. I did 8 mile bushwhack at 2000-2400' elevation through combo of open hardwoods, birch glades, and thick spruce - not a single tick. Of course spring hasn't really kicked in at tht elevation. Monday was warmer and I had to traverse some brushy clear cuts on west slope of Mount Carr and had two ticks to show for it. Temperate forest lands of southern New England I think it is best to stay on the trail. They also seem to be at their peak during spring. Based on previous comments I think I will definitely look into getting some permethrin.

Tick survival is higher for warmer winters or winters with a good snow cover (better insulation for them).

Blacklegged ticks (the carrier of Lyme disease, also known as deer ticks) can get you any time of year, but peak in the spring/early summer and the fall/late summer (they need blood meals at two different stages in their development). The only time that you are safe is when there is snow cover and/or it is below freezing. (I've heard two versions: when there is snow cover or when it is below freezing. Given my uncertainty, I only consider myself safe when both conditions are met.)

Blacklegged ticks are blind and sit on grasses and low foliage to wait for you to come by. When they feel the vibration of your approach, they reach out and wave their forelegs, hoping to snag you as you walk by. (Lone Star ticks have vision and will actually chase you...)

Blacklegged ticks, in spite of their alternate name of deer tick, can get their blood meals from a number of animals (eg mice and humans) and do not require a local deer population.

There are about 7 different tick-borne diseases found here in the NE. Only Lyme has the 24-hour delay before transmission--the others can be transmitted immediately upon being bitten. Thus, the only truly safe procedure it to keep them off you in the first place. (Tick inspection after getting home is helpful, but not 100%.) Permethrin on clothing and DEET on exposed skin is a good first line of defense...


Larry Dapsis (Deer Tick Project Coordinator - Entomologist www.capecodextension.org) has given a number of talks on the topic. A video of a 2016 talk can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A47Gp2E_fNo&feature=youtu.be (2hrs--the first hour is on mosquito protection and the second hour is on tick protection). His slides from a 2014 talk can be found at http://orleansconservationtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Larry-Dapsis-Tick-Presentation.pdf and more useful info from the town nurse can be found at http://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/bedfordma/files/file/file/lets_talk_about_ticks.pdf.

Doug

EDIT: the other name for the deer tick is the blacklegged tick, not wood tick.

 

[peakbagger]

Okay Doug you got me confused. My understanding was the Deer Tick (black legged tick) was the primary vector for Lyme. I always thought there was different variety locally called the Wood Tick (AKA the American Dog Tick that was more prevalent in southern and western maine years ago), the Deer Tick was a relative newcomer to the SW Maine and southern NH. The wood ticks I used to pick up surveying tended to be larger. The few deer ticks I encountered in PA were far smaller and in the past I have used the magnifying lens on a swiss army knife to actually identify a nymph burrowed in my skin.