Delaware Valley Orienteering Association

Topic created by kathyu on Sun Apr 5, 2015 at 10:02 am

kathyu
Num Posts: 698
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Hickory Run Sand Spring
First O: 2004

Yes, it's that time of year again, and both Dave and I found ticks on our persons.  Time to take anti tick precautions and do all over body checks after orienteering and hiking in woods and fields.  I think they like to hide in crevices of clothing and car seats and emerge to latch on to you later.  Don't forget the doggies.  

Reply by j-man on Sun Apr 5, 2015 at 9:08 pm

j-man
Num Posts: 131
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Spackman Creek
First O: 1985

I was hoping the ticks froze over our super cold February. Apparently, that only got them hungry; I had loads of them aftera few hours in the woods Friday...

Reply by rgbortz on Mon Apr 6, 2015 at 8:23 pm

rgbortz
Num Posts: 203
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Stuckey Pond
First O: 1986

Seriously. Those prone to tick attraction should check into loading up on B complex vitamins. Every person is different. Personally, ticks apparently dislike me and science points toward B vitamins having something to do with that.

Reply by furlong47 on Mon Apr 6, 2015 at 10:33 pm

furlong47
Num Posts: 389
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Bucks County Community College
First O: 1994

They dislike me as well (so do mosquitoes) although I have never figured out why. I rarely get one on me and when I do it is usually wandering around looking lost instead of biting. Interesting theory, though I don't think I have any more B vitamins in me than the average person...

Reply by edscott on Tue Apr 7, 2015 at 9:47 pm

edscott
Num Posts: 703
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Hickory Run 1:15000
First O: 1983

According to the CDC the research does not seem to support the effectiveness of vitamin B, or other repellents like citronella or garlic, but apparently permethrin does work.  It is possible that indivdual body chemistry makes some things work on some of us and not on others. Our family scores so far this spring on attached ticks is Me 1, Judy 1, and Dog 3.  

Reply by rgbortz on Thu Apr 9, 2015 at 11:11 am

rgbortz
Num Posts: 203
Primary Club: DVOA
Fav map: Stuckey Pond
First O: 1986

As pointed out in the previous posts every person's utilization of what goes in is different.
Just saying ; is it worth a little experimentation to see if something may work for you ?
There are Vitamin B patches for your skin available which give you a temporary boost of B.
You wouldn't have to get on a regimen.
Since I personnaly repel ticks I won't be trying it any time soon but I would be glad to tell you where to get the patches. It would be interesting to see who it may possibly help. Anything not as harsh as DEET sits well with me.
But who's going through a known tick metropolis to find out if it works?