Preparing For Tick Season

Ticks are active anytime the environment is above 28 degrees, so already with snow melting or gone in many places, they are out and about and hungry!
They bite us because they need mammalian blood for every step of their development from larva to reproducing adult. Unfortunately, they carry pathogens that can be transferred to us during their feeding process. I see too many people with Lyme and the other tick borne illnesses who didn't even know they were bitten so take precautions and do enjoy the outdoors.

What can we do to protect ourselves from tick bites?

Repellents
There are non toxic repellents that utilize certain plant’s insect repelling properties. After testing  live ticks with a variety of tick repellents on the market, the one that worked best was Tick Shield by Cedarcide, which contains cedarwood and lemongrass oil plus silica. But even this one needs to be reapplied at least every 2 hours.

Permethrin
Another option is Permethrin. An insecticide that can be applied to clothing either purchased or have your own clothes dipped from Insect Shield, a company that will dip your own clothing in Permethrin. Its affordable and the price reduces with more clothing items. 
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Permethrin is made from daisies and is non toxic. You can do it yourself at home. It is available online or at an outdoor goods vendors. Don't forget permethrin for your socks and a bandana or hat as part of your outfit.

Dressing for the Prevention
There are certain tactics you can deploy to help ticks become more visible and prevent them from making it onto your body. Dressing in light colored clothing can make the ticks stand out. Socks over long pants may look dorky but it really works. Adding some Duct tape, sticky side out, around the cuff of pants, lays a perfect trap for wandering ticks.

Tick Checks
After spending time outdoors take off all clothing and check carefully or have someone check you. And don't forget to check pets who often carry ticks into the house where they wait for a host.
Dryer
Clothing can be put into the dryer for 15 minutes if any ticks are in the folds of the clothing. This will kill them rather than let them loose in your house to bite someone later.

What if I get bit?

Don't freak out. Use a tick spoon or tool and gently pull back. If you don't have a tick tool you can gently grab the tick and pull slowly or put a warm washcloth on it if handy and they may back themselves out.

Always save the tick if possible - don't flush it!
Then you have the option of sending it in to be tested. Here in the north east UMASS Amherst,offers testing. Due to a CDC grant the testing is only $15 now for Massachusetts residents. It really helps to know what pathogens, if any the tick may be carrying. If the tick is carrying pathogens this still doesn't mean you will get sick. Your immune system may protect you or the pathogen not get transferred before removal of the tick.

The best thing I know for a tick bite, is Andrographis extract applied directly on the bite. It will stop itching and swelling significantly in my experience. I put it on every few hours for the first 24-48 hours.

At Blue Crow Botanicals we make a Deer Tick Bite Formula that covers the most common tick borne illnesses here in the Northeast. As prevention, a daily dose of Astragalus extract can be protective or a low dose of the Deer Tick Bite Formula if you work or recreate in the woods and fields often. For children use dosage by body weight.