Tick bites

[Chas]

I have been bitten ........ had my blood sucked that is ....... twice in the last month by ticks that I found attached to me days after being out on the moor. They itched incredibly and then investigation revealed these quite tiny ticks, now gorged with my blood! Revolting! I do quite a lot of sitting around in hides on Dartmoor so I obviously know how I am getting them . Question, does anyone know of a way of prevention, does insect repellent work? I always tuck trousers in socks and wear long sleaves. I am a bit concerned about Limes disease, it is starting to impact on my wildlife watching. Any help would be greatly received.
Charlie

[Dorts]

Chas
I have been bitten several times by ticks, mostly after sitting on a 'ride on mower' cutting long grass, they have always been attached to me around my waist. I agree with putting trousers in socks but a think long jumpers outside trousers are better than tucking them in. I'm not sure that normal insect repelants work because you would never know where you may be bitten: you would have to cover yourself from head to toe!

A close friend on mine was the first person in Britain to be diagnosed with Limes Disease (long time ago now). He had been studying Red Deer in the New Forest. Apparently Red Deer are one of the main carriers, though I think now many mammals carry it.

The first signs he had was a rash around his waist followed by an increasing feeling of lethargy.
A blood test is readily available if you have any fears.
Dorts.

[triops]

Hi Chas,
All good advice. Lyme disease (called after Lyme, Connecticut) is best avoided by daily checking and removal of ticks. Ticks have to remain on you for more than 24 hours to be able to transmit the disease to you. Diagnosis is usually made by the appearance of a characteristic rash(see the internet for pictures). Treatment is by large doses of antibiotic, making you feel pretty rough! (the voice of experience!). Daily checks!
Doc.

[earthdragon64]

There is still ongoing debate about how long a tick has to be biting you before it can transmit any disease, the minimum time isn't known for sure. I've linked below to a really useful website with a lot of information about ticks.

Ticks - Lyme Disease & other tick borne diseases in Britain

Regards, Audrey.

[Chas]

Thank you for your help, can't say that I am heartened to read about the possible diseases but life must go on I suppose! I have purchased a tick removal gadget, that's the least I can do I suppose. The idea of wearing light clothing is definitely out of the question, I suppose being aware of the dangers (and they appear to be real) is all I can do.

[Beekeeper]

I suppose a wet suit would be out of the question!

Ian

[Monkey Orchid]

Re Lyme disease, be aware that the so-called characteristic rash never appears in the majority of cases. A friend of mine was diagnosed a while ago: she had no rash, and in fact didn't even realise she'd had a tick bite her. She was at the doctor's surgery with her kids for something else, when her GP observed that she was looking under the weather. She told him she'd been feeling fluey and achy - particularly in her shoulders and thumbs, for some reason - and the doc said it sounded like Lyme disease. A blood test confirmed it and she was put onto high-level doses of antibiotics. She's now recovered but still very fatigued.

I get bitten a lot by ticks, I seem to attract them somehow, so I tend to be a bit paranoid about this particular illness. I try to check myself thoroughly when I return home if I think I've been somewhere ticks could be about, and my clothes go straight into the washing machine just in case any of the little so-and-sos are hanging on. The last time I found a tick on me was after visiting my allotment! Luckily it hadn't dug in too much, so getting it off was reasonably easy. I assume they're so prevalent now because of the increasing numbers of deer everywhere.

[thebeard]

i had one on me a couple of weeks back, after walking through a field of ferns near cheddar gorge. it was easy enough to pull off but had been there a day or so. i was a bit worried about the disease, but i'll stay vigilant!

little blighters

[Beekeeper]

Ticks seem to prefer fern to other vegetation, here in the New Forest almost any fern will provide a useful resting place for these nasty little insects, they are nearly always hiding on the udersides of the fronds presumably so as not to fall prey to birds, i always avoid fern where possible but if i have to walk through it i always have a good look at myself to see if any have hitched a lift afterwards.

Ian

[Tringa]

Don't know if this is of any use as my experience is limited to NW Scotland.

Over about 20 years I and my family have had lots of ticks (think my record was 7 in one day). If I have been working outside or walking I always check if I have any "friends", or get someone else to check.

Every one is pulled off and perhaps I am lucky but I, and the rest of the Tringa crew, have suffer no ill effects.

From what I have heard Lyme Disease can be nasty but, in my admittedly, limited experience it is not something to be very worried about.

Just be vilgilant.

Dave