Please stay aware of Lyme Disease.

[Stewy]

Long grass is a favoured habitat I believe.

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Please forgive the old thread ressurection but I did say I would post a review of the Tick Twister tool after I had the opportunity to use it. It came the day after I ordered it along with a leaflet explaining about Lyme disease. There are actually two tools for different sized ticks but I think I'll probably only every use the little one. They are actually quite simple to look at, just a piece of plastic with a long V-notch cut into the bottom and a handle at the top. You catch the tick in the notch and then, as the name suggests, twist it round until the tick detaches.

Well, I've had a few ticks since I got the tool and have to say that it really is much better than using tweezers to get the little beggars out. No pulling required- the tick just falls out after twisting. This week I had one of those hard to get out brown ticks which had attached itself in a very awkward location on my back and I managed to get it out. It was difficult with the twister tool but it would have been impossible using tweezers. Definately worth the fiver or so I spent it.

Nick.

[Tormentil]

I also bought Tick Twister, but fortunately have not had to use them to date.

Touch wood type Smiley.

[metalfish]

Lyme disease is something we should all be aware of, my aunt lives on the outskirts of Southampton and deer frequently come into her garden carrying lots of ticks, & two of her neighbours have caught it in the past year.
The symptoms can be quite random it seems, one of them got a red rash which was nowhere near where she got the tick attached to her. The doctors in the area seem to be well aware of Lyme's disease, if it's not caught early enough I think it can be deadly.
So if you do get ticks feeding on you and you get a fever/ rash or any other illness symptom go to your doctors and say Lyme's disease is a possibility- it really is a case of better safe than sorry.

[earthdragon64]

Originally Posted by Nick_in_Scotland

There are actually two tools for different sized ticks but I think I'll probably only every use the little one.

I've had these for over a year, I've only ever had to use the small one on me, but the larger one is great for removing ticks from pets as often any ticks on a pet aren't found until they are quite large. I carry them both continually, they really are easy to use.

[GothicSquirrel]

I just wanted to say thanks to Jenny for making this thread. I've recently been to Thetford Forest and for the first time i've had a tick bite that has caused a skin reaction - luckily I knew where to come to check up what symptoms I need to look out for Even more luckily, according to the NHS direct page, I should be ok because the reaction came up the same day I was bitten which is too early to be the Lymes disease reaction.

sam x

[The Woodman]

For anyone interested in Ticks, there's an article about British Ticks in the latest edition of British Wildlife with a good bit about Lyme disease and LIV.

Removal of ticks within the first 24 hours of attachment drastically reduces the chances of aquiring the infection apparently.