I regret to say that showers do not necessarily remove tiny or large
ticks. I've found many a tick on me after showering. In fact, I found a tiny
one after this evening's shower following a day of yard work.
That said, no one needs to be so terrified of ticks that they stop enjoying
outdoor activities. You just need to check yourself over to try to find
them after you've been outside. And even if you find one after it has
attached itself, you aren't necessarily going to become ill. I've been bitten
by many a tick and have yet to get Lyme disease.
Spring is the absolute worst possible time to be outdoors because ticks are
just becoming active and need to feed. Usually they become less and less
of a problem as we get into mid-summer and beyond (i.e., you are less
likely to get one on you as time goes on).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Marlene
Marlene A. Condon
Author/Photographer, The Nature-friendly Garden: Creating A Backyard Haven
for Plants, Wildlife, and People (Stackpole Books)
Syndicated Columnist for Bay Journal News Service
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
E-mail: MARLENECONDON@xxxxxxx
_www.MARLENECONDON.com_ (http://www.marlenecondon.com/)
In a message dated 3/22/2014 12:59:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
lsturges@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
I'm sorry to report that there is no open place that is tick free in the
immediate area. They are everywhere and are now a fact of life. It's
important to take precautions such as repellents and appropriate attire. Ticks
tend to move up low shrubbery or emergent vegetation. As you brush by, they
transfer on. So one good way to reduce tick encounters is to stay on the
center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation. IMO, that severely
reduces the fun of being in nature, so I just stopped worrying about it!
You can also reduce the risk of contracting tick borne diseases by
showering immediately after nature outings. The larval ticks associated with
Lyme
disease need to be attached for over 24 hours to transmit the bacterium.
They are small enough to be knocked off by showers. Plus, all your friends
and family will appreciate the effort!
Happy wildlife watching.
Leslie
On 03/22/14, Lori Keeler<lorik3@xxxxxxx> wrote:
This report is sent primarily for the benefit of those of you who, like
me, tend to get a little freaked out when they find a tick on themselves.
I was at Huntley early this morning. After the boardwalk, I walked the old
informal trail along Barnyard Run, which is once again accessible. It is
probably here that I picked up the tick. I've gone down that trail for years
without a problem. It grieves me to think that I might have to remove this
location from my list of tick-free birding areas.
Who's thinking about ticks? It's only March.--a rather chilly March
morning--but this tick was feisty and ready for breakfast.
--
Lori Keeler
Alexandria
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