In addition to "Be careful, they're out there"

[chezpeg]

Splat originally posted a thread about those nasty little critters that hop a free ride whenever they can get them and I wanted to follow up with a new thread because of what I found out today.

My dog has been suffering a high fever and has been hospitalized for the last 2 weeks. She was retested yesterday for tick-borne illnesses and she tested positive for Lyme AND Rocky Mountain Fever.

The vet says that the two most prominent "infestations" (wrong term but you know what I mean) are early spring and fall. They should slow down in the full heat of summer.

Take precautions, wash all your clothing after a ride and if you ever put your camelback down on the ground during a ride check it out before throwing it up on your back.

Just for some extra info, I walk the dogs in Wrentham and Foxboro State forests.

Chez

[bdee]

yeah, I found a bunch while doing some trail maintenane at Lincoln Woods on Sunday. Then found one on me at home, not embedded and had only been on for ~ 2 hours but still left a mark. They suck (no pun intended).

[Mongoose]

Is DEET the best repellent for ticks?

[heckler]

I was out at the Fells opening day rides last Saturday and I was pretty much the only one still wearing tights. Might not be fashionable (especially with my bod) but I sure felt safer from the little buggers.

[Curtis Chase]

Is DEET the best repellent for ticks?

Yes.