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[pct-l] DEET Insect repellent
If one is worried about ticks, walking in shorts and wearing sandels
definitely not the way to go.
"http://www.uslink.net/~portage/Lyme.html: Lyme Group puts out this
guidance: Many tiny things buzz and bite. Nearly all those in the Deep
Portage region are only a nuisance - but one. The bad fellow is Ixodes
dammini, a tiny deer tick. This critter sometimes carries a
spirochete, corkscrew shaped bacterium, that causes Lyme's disease. Lyme
was first diagnosed near Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. The host tick finds
happy hunting here because we have produced so many whitetail deer, a host
in its two year cycle. Cute field mice and white-foot mice are favorite
hosts for the first year larval form.
Our usual northern woodtick is relatively harmless. The biggest danger from
this bug is that you will infect yourself after you pull off the tick and
scratch the puncture.
Lyme disease is serious, but you can defend against it. Use the same
tactics that protect you from mosquitos and ordinary ticks.
Dressing for outdoors is key to preventing long troubles. Reduce explosed
skin area when you are in grass or brush. Ticks generally live within three
feet of the ground. Long-sleeved, full length slacks or pants, and a head
cover make sense. For fullest protection, tuck trousers into sox. Do not
wear sandals or beach clogs. Spray repellant on possible openings. On light
color clothing it is
easier to spot the bugs as you walk through brush. Ticks are on tips of
branches and are lured by the carbon dioxide you and animals exhale.
You might use chemical repellants or bug killers. The best repellants
contain at least 30% DEET. All cans and bottles list their ingredients.
Choose by cost of the active ingredient.
The best tick killer is permethrine. Caution: put it only on clothing,
cuffs of trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Do not apply to skin.
Check you body everyday for ticks. With tweezers, grasp an imbedded tick as
near the mouth or head area and pull gently. Washing with soap and water is
the best treatment after tick bites.
Usually a deer tick would have to be attached to the skin for nearly 24
hours for infection to get started. Don't scratch. A first aid cream will
help ease the itch.
All you wanted to know about DEET is at Deet's home page:
http://www.deet.com/about.htm
I generally spray it on the brim of my hat and nylon socks and boots.
Tom 'hikenet' Caggiano
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