Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

[deleted] t1_j9ab8sl wrote

I can answer some of your questions, but not all:

-I don't use flea/tick stuff on my dog in the winter, but make sure to use it long enough in the fall to cover October/November warm snaps.

-I know people who swear by cedar oil for ticks.

-The surface of the trail (paved vs. gravel) doesn't matter for ticks. What matters is if there are plants that could brush you. Ticks will dangle on plants and reach out for a passing animal to hitch a ride on. So it's really the width of the trail and how grassy/shrubby it is that you need to think about.

-Doctors tend to be pretty good about early treatment, and I've known folks who have gotten early treatment before their test comes back positive or negative, just based on the appearance of the bite and an abundance of caution.

-It's worth noting that, generally speaking, if you catch the tick within the first 24 hours it is on your body it won't have had time to transmit lyme. I'm outside a lot and have lived in New England most of my life, and I mostly rely on doing good tick checks after I've been outside.

17

fighting_gopher OP t1_j9acdeb wrote

Makes sense. Thanks!

6

thread100 t1_j9dosao wrote

Dogs can still get a tick but the drug kills them. You still need to check them and remove the ones that are DOA. Get in the habit of checking yourself when you get home. Buy a removal tool before you need it. We like loop type. Pull it out in one piece. Make sure you remove before going to bed. You get 24 hrs pretty safe.

2

xtnh t1_j9gr4kz wrote

Also they don't die right away, so your pets can still transport them into the house. I have often found one crawling on me after the cat jumps off.

2