Ticks and Tick Bites
Black Legged Ticks (aka Deer ticks and ixodes scapularis) have three life stages, larval, nymphal and adult. Larval ticks are smaller than a period in a newspaper. Nymphal ticks are the size of poppy seeds, adults are the size of sesame seeds. Ticks are not born infected, larval ticks cannot transmit Lyme disease to animal or human hosts.
Besides avoiding areas where ticks are present, ticks can be repelled by wearing long pants and sleeves, tucking cuffs into socks, and closing sleeves with elastic bands. Insect repellents containing permethrin kill ticks and should be used on clothing but not directly on skin. Insect repellents containing DEET can be used on skin except for on the face and hands, but sweat diminished the effectiveness of Deet, Deet does not kill ticks and is not 100% effective in preventing tick bites.
Natural oils which repel pests, such as lemon eucalyptus (not to be confused with lemongrass) cedar and rosemary can prevent pests from biting, and they are non toxic to humans. Cedar oil is also good for skin. Lemon eucalyptus (available in Repel insect repellent) is recognized by the US Center for Disease Control as as effective as Deet, It is also much less likely to result in serious adverse side effects.
When using any chemical poisons, follow label directions carefully. Be especially cautious when using them on children. Natural pest repellents usually cost less than the pesticides.
Dogs can also get sick from ticks! They usually exhibit severe symptoms and respond quickly to treatment. It is possible to prevent ticks from infecting dogs with natural repellents. Chemicals such as Frontline, Top Spot, Advantix and other similar flea and tick killers must be absorbed into your pets blood, and will not kill pests until they suck blood.
It is best to try and remove ticks before they bite. Ticks should be removed as soon as possible, but not in a hurry. Removing ticks before they have been attached for more than 24 hours greatly reduces the risk of infection. Once a tick is embedded it should be pulled off slowly, without crushing it. Using a tick remover or tweezers, grab ticks as closely to the skin as possible. Trying to kill a tick before removing it may increase the chance of infection. Do not try to remove ticks by squeezing them, coating them with petroleum jelly, or burning them with a match.
After removal, it is important to inspect the tick. If there are parts of a tick left under the skin it is better to remove them even if it means cutting some skin.
While most authorities do not mention it, some recommend using an antiseptic like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. After cleaning the bite thoroughly with soap and water, I use a triple antibiotic ointment although I don't know of any containing doxycycline and I have never heard it suggested for antibiotic ointment to be used on tick bites. If the bite is itchy I sometimes also use a topical steroid.
New York State Department of Health publishes a small brochure with a pretty good summary f essential tick sickness information (Tick ID card).
Besides avoiding areas where ticks are present, ticks can be repelled by wearing long pants and sleeves, tucking cuffs into socks, and closing sleeves with elastic bands. Insect repellents containing permethrin kill ticks and should be used on clothing but not directly on skin. Insect repellents containing DEET can be used on skin except for on the face and hands, but sweat diminished the effectiveness of Deet, Deet does not kill ticks and is not 100% effective in preventing tick bites.
Natural oils which repel pests, such as lemon eucalyptus (not to be confused with lemongrass) cedar and rosemary can prevent pests from biting, and they are non toxic to humans. Cedar oil is also good for skin. Lemon eucalyptus (available in Repel insect repellent) is recognized by the US Center for Disease Control as as effective as Deet, It is also much less likely to result in serious adverse side effects.
When using any chemical poisons, follow label directions carefully. Be especially cautious when using them on children. Natural pest repellents usually cost less than the pesticides.
Dogs can also get sick from ticks! They usually exhibit severe symptoms and respond quickly to treatment. It is possible to prevent ticks from infecting dogs with natural repellents. Chemicals such as Frontline, Top Spot, Advantix and other similar flea and tick killers must be absorbed into your pets blood, and will not kill pests until they suck blood.
It is best to try and remove ticks before they bite. Ticks should be removed as soon as possible, but not in a hurry. Removing ticks before they have been attached for more than 24 hours greatly reduces the risk of infection. Once a tick is embedded it should be pulled off slowly, without crushing it. Using a tick remover or tweezers, grab ticks as closely to the skin as possible. Trying to kill a tick before removing it may increase the chance of infection. Do not try to remove ticks by squeezing them, coating them with petroleum jelly, or burning them with a match.
After removal, it is important to inspect the tick. If there are parts of a tick left under the skin it is better to remove them even if it means cutting some skin.
While most authorities do not mention it, some recommend using an antiseptic like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. After cleaning the bite thoroughly with soap and water, I use a triple antibiotic ointment although I don't know of any containing doxycycline and I have never heard it suggested for antibiotic ointment to be used on tick bites. If the bite is itchy I sometimes also use a topical steroid.
New York State Department of Health publishes a small brochure with a pretty good summary f essential tick sickness information (Tick ID card).