It seems as if every year there is at least one BH.com member that has contracted Lyme disease or some other variant from a tick bite. Just as we talk about tree stand safety at the being of every deer season I thought it would be a good reminder for everyone as the warm months approach. This is serious business. Each year many cases are reported of severe illness and death. Children are especially susceptible. I have a friend that spent 6 weeks in intensive case from a tick bite. He underwent several surgeries. They removed 2 dozen plus lymph nodes in his neck, head, and under his arms. He stopped breathing on the table and they had to resuscitate him during one of his many surgeries. For weeks his prognosis did not look good. Things to do: Wear long sleeve shirts and keep them tucked in. I buy tall size shirts as they run about two inches longer both in the tail and sleeves. This will ensure your shirt tail stays tucked in and allows you to tape your sleeves to your gloves if necessary. Wear knee High boots. Tape you pant legs. I keep a roll of electrical tape in my turkey vest and truck. There are several other great uses for it. One of which is bagging the gobblers head so you back isn't soaked with blood on that long haul back to the truck. Treat your cloths with Sawyer Permethrin. This stuff WORKS and works well. I have literally sat in brush these past dry years where the ground was moving there was so many ticks. They were crawling on everything but me. A 24oz bottle is less than $20. It is also extremely effective against mosquitos and chiggers. It's completely odorless once it dries and is effective for 6 wash cycles. If you can stand not to wash your hunting/fishing outer garments after each use it can potentially last months. There is just no reason not to use it from spring through early whitetail season! Treat your gloves, hats, and facemasks. Treat your gear: - Treat anything you sit on! I’ve treated backpacks, blinds, tents, etc... with the same stuff. Treat your pets - It will do little if any good if you let your pets bring those critters in your house. And lastly always strip down before entering your house if you have been in the bush. . Cloths are placed in a bag or go directly to the washer or dryer if they are brought inside.
Very good advice! I contacted Lyme's Disease a few years ago. I was lucky in that I had the classic bullseye show within a few days. Some people do not develop that bullseye rash and may not show symptoms for several days or months. Even tests for the disease is erratic in diagnosis. The doctor put me on a regimen of antibiotics immediately.
Good message. I use Sawyer Permethrin treated clothes and it does work. I bought some Elimitick clothing from Gamehide too and I always use it when in the woods. I have had Lyme disease three times prior to that and Erlichiosis once. Not one tick since I started with the permethrin. And remember, it is LYME, no 's in it. Named after Lyme, CN.
Thank you for the post. Ticks don't bother me, but maybe I will start to pay closer attention after reading and researching the effects of lyme disease. Bass Pro offers a garment similar to Under Armor called Rynoskin that promises to protect you from flees, chiggers and ticks. I will pick up a suit for the upcoming turkey season and let yall know how it works. I listed the link below... rynoskin | Bass Pro Shops
Lyme disease is that a common cold compared to some of the other tick born illnesses. Go check the CDC's website out for a the list of other crap you can get. I don't think that's all of them either!
I did some turkey scouting, shed hunting and trimmed some shooting lanes in Ohio yesterday afternoon. When I got back to my truck I had a dozen or more on me. I went all fall and never had any on me, I need to start spraying down for turkey season
Yeah there are studies that have been done that show they are quite resilient to cold weather and prolonged below average temperatures. I won't doubt they will be out in full force in a few weeks here in PA even after the horrendous winter.
I just got bitten by a deer tick last week while I was out shed hunting, and now I have to go get tested again. After 2 days of warm weather and I had them all over me, I hate ticks.
they also sell like boot gaiters so they cant get in around your feet, and while your out i would recommend keeping your shirt tucked in even if its short sleeved. its alot easier to spot them around your arms then around waist. also keep an eye on your children, i have 2 girls and twice now i have found them in their hair.
