Guys and Gal's: I not only metal detect, but hunt Deer, Turkey and other Big Game in the US. That's become small fry to where I hunt now....Africa. Talk about ticks! All ticks can carry many diseases. Some have yet to be known I suspect, so consider ALL of them dangerous to your health. If you follow my simple advice (to the letter) having a tick bite will be a thing of the past. First of all, know a little about your enemy. It is the female tick that bites you, just like the Mosquito. Her desire to feed on blood is prompted by reproduction: she needs the blood to develop her eggs. Once a tick lays her eggs, these hatchlings are so tiny at birth, they are very difficult to see, especially older persons with diminishing eye site. They are smaller than the head of a straight pin, and light in color, making them very difficult to spot on our body. These tiny hatchlings are called "seed ticks" in the US and "pepper ticks" in Africa. They are found together like fingerling trout at a hatchery, in groups. And they tend to prefer rotting logs or stumps, as decaying wood gives off heat (at least warmth they can sense). Once you step into or sit down on or near a nest, you are invaded immediately by the ravenous blood suckers. They need blood to grow into adult ticks. So, our goal is to prevent and or kill ALL ticks/chiggers that come into contact with us. Here are my personal steps to avoid tick bite:
1. During late winter until fall, after several frosts (in warm climates where ticks are known to exist, take year round) begin taking vitamin B-1 tablets (200mg) x 2: one in the morning, one in the evening. ALWAYS consult your Doctor before starting any vitamin. If you buy 100mg, take 2x2. It will take about a week to get in your system so that your body produces a faint Sulphur smell. You most likely will never smell it, nor will others. But Mosquito's, Ticks and other biting insects will. They don't like it!
2. Spray your boots, pants and shirt with Coulston's Duranon Tick Repellent (do not substitute). This is the best Permethrin I've found. It is odorless. It kills ticks, chiggers and mosquito's. By the time a tick crawls past your knee area, she's dead. Spray OUTSIDE in a well ventilated area. Avoid wind or breezes. This wastes too much and can swirl into your nostrils. YOU DON'T NEED TO BREATHE THIS! Let it dry completely (about 10 minutes). NEVER spray yourself, underwear or socks. Use Off, or another light Deet spray or powdered Sulphur (available at the Drug Store) on your body. Be aware that some of you may be allergic to Deet. I am. In heavy concentrate, such as Ben's 100 (100% Deet) it began to cause whelps to break out on my hands. Never use Deet on babies or children. There are better alternatives. Remember: sprays, ointments and gel's have a short life (residual) and must be re-applied every 4-6 hours for best effect.
3. Check yourself carefully when you return home. Be sure to run your finger tips through your hair, and for you married couples, a "Tick Check" can be part of the fun of metal detecting
Coulston's Duranon can last up to two weeks, but for me, I usually wash my digging clothes and re-apply before the next trip (that morning). Never take ticks lightly. I have several friends that have contracted Lyme disease. It can disable and kill if left un-diagnosed. Lastly, don't leave your digging equipment and clothes un-checked. There may be ticks crawling on them. Again, check closely.
4. Final defense: If you have ANY doubt about ticks or chiggers on you, run a warm bath to 6 inches of water. While running, add one cup of bleach (make sure you have no deep cuts other than a light scratch on your body) in the water. Sit in the water and wash off with a white (you guys better not use the Wife's good colored wash cloths) wash cloth for about 10 minutes. This will put the coup de gras on any remaining tick or chigger that got by your defenses.
Remember to follow these instructions ver batem if you want to avoid these pests.
Good hunting,
David@Dixie
