[MR] Lyme disease epidemic in Northern Atlantia area

[David Chessler]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/07/AR2009040703716.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Lyme disease is spread by the "deer tick", a small tick. The tick 
infests small rodents as well as deer, and lives in grass. Ticks will 
wait on a grass stem until their prey (a warm-blooded animal) passes 
by and then they will attach themselves. They then spend some hours 
looking for a "protected" spot on the body to attach to and suck 
blood. This is why daily (nightly) full body inspections will be 
protective. They have been known to hide in head or body hair, and 
there is some belief that they particularly like to hide under tight 
clothing, such as underwear elastic.

They are not reliably repelled by DEET, the insect repellent that 
works on most other pests. However, there is an effective clothing 
treatment.  Permethrin spray is an effective treatment that will last 
through several washings.

Armed Forces Pest Management Board


Technical Guide No. 36


Personal Protective Measures Against Insects

and Other Arthropods of Military Significance

http://www.afpmb.org/coweb/guidance_targets/ppms/TG36/TG36.htm

The spray is available in garden supply stores, outdoor shops, and 
the outdoor department of sporting goods stores or department stores.

The alternative treatment, soaking the garments in the liquid, lasts 
longer, but is unnecessary for casual weekend or week-long camping.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin

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YIS

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Erudit de l'Academie de Espee de Atlantia
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