Wellness

[DarlingDino]

I was just wondering if anyone here uses Insect shield clothes? I have ordered a couple out fits from them last year for myself and my husband. Last year neither of us seen any ticks. I just ordered some more items for this year and got curious if anyone here wears these clothes while out and about during summer. Ticks are really bad all over PA right now and we like to go hiking and fishing, so I was concerned. I dont hear many people talking about how they are protecting themselves and thought this would be a good topic to get out there. I spray all of our shoes we were during theses months with the sawyer permethrin spray. Anyway just wondering if anyone has good experiences fighting ticks with these ideas or if anyone has more good ways to fight ticks and still enjoy the outdoors.

[Mz iMac]

Deet a/k/a/OFF has worked for me for years on my exposed skin & my clothes.

Works in the boonies where I live...

Works in African bushes (Safari)

Works in tropical places including the jungles.

As for hiking, I always wear long pants tucked into my socks.

[KingstonsMom]

DH is into 'geocaching' (think scavenger hunt using GPS devices) and is always tromping thru the woods and had still come home with ticks, even after liberally spraying himself and his clothes with Off (Deet).

He tried ordering the pre-treated clothes but had fit issues, then he found a company that you send your own clothes to them and they treat them, which lasts for at least 70 washings and drying.

It wasn't very expensive at all (under $10 per item) and we haven't seen a tick since.

[DarlingDino]

@Mz iMac Interesting you say Deet works for you, I do have some deet and have used it on exposed skin but I like the treated clothes better. It is so much easier for us. We always tuck out pants into our socks also and I also read when you come home to take your clothes off and put them into a hot dryer for about 20 minutes before washing them. The dryer will kill any ticks on your clothes cause they dont like heat and dryness but can survive water.

@KingstonsMom Interesting what your husband does, just wondering is he doing this in PA? I am asking only because ticks are so bad here, and I was wondering how the treated clothes are doing for him. I agree that they need more options for clothes. The clothes can be expensive also. The company that makes the insectshield clothes is the same place that treats clothing like you say your husband gets done. As far as I know, there is only one place in the USA that does this and they do all the military uniforms also, I read somewhere. I think it is a smart idea to have your own clothes treated instead of buying clothes cause they dont have much to choose from right now and the cost of the outfits is too much. I have yet to do this, but will maybe next year. I have bought some pieces of clothing on sale though and was not too bad. Does your husband spray his shoes? I want to get a couple pair of Gators have you heard of them? They go over your shoe and anlke and part of your leg.

Anyway, it is am important issue and many people dont realize just what all you can get from one tick bite, right now this time of year the ticks are the size of a grain of pepper, very hard to see and many people get bit and never know it. I dont go outside without thinking about it and protecting myself now. I try not to be afraid but knowledgeable about what I can do to protect myself and my husband and then just enjoy myself out side. I have a horse also so I love to go trailriding and that puts me in tick country for sure.

[Mz iMac]

@DarlingDino

"I also read when you come home to take your clothes off and put them into a hot dryer for about 20 minutes before washing them."

I do the same thing.  Clothes go straight into the dryer.  I'm right across the river from you.  Not only do I have to worry about deer ticks, bears carry ticks too!  There's some other critters that I know nothing about *yet.*  My brother calls where I live Jurassic Park.

[addymarie]

I just read a few days ago about new concerns about ticks.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.necn.com/news/new-england/Potentially-Deadly-Disease-Can-Start-15-Min...

Potentially Deadly Disease Can Start 15 Minutes After Tick Bite

'Health officials are raising awareness of the potentially deadly Powassan virus, which is transmitted through tick bites. It’s much, much rarer than Lyme disease, but brings more serious symptoms, including brain swelling. It can be very easy to receive tick bites but, fortunately, there are several good ways to avoid them.'

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