[MR] Lyme disease epidemic in Northern Atlantia area

[David Chessler]

I have experience with permethrin, and it is effective against the tics. I've
used it in Scout Camp and my daughter has used it in Africa and South
America.

However, while Permethrin is safe for most mammals, it is NOT safe for cats. I
don't usually take my cat camping, but YMMV. And, in any event, keep the
sprayed garments away from the cat. Although once the permethrin has dried on
the garment and bound to the fibers, casual contract is unlikely to pick up a
dangerous dose. (When permethrin binds to the fibers it is not removed by soap
and water, though it is removed by dry cleaning)

The general reputation of DEET is that it is very effective for mosquitoes,
but less effective for biting flies (like the greenhead fly on the beach, or
the black fly of northern streams), and for ticks. I noticed that my local
hardware store carries Permethrin spray in the garden department.

The army manual,
http://www.afpmb.org/coweb/guidance_targets/ppms/TG36/TG36.htm , is VERY up to
date and reliable. The army spends a lot of money researching insects and
insect-borne diseases (entomology dept. at Walter Reed). But, as I said, use
the spray procedure, which is easier and faster, since you won't be in the
field for months at a time.

Permethrin is also good for impregnating mosquito nets (bed nets).

------ Original Message ------
Received: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:02:12 AM EDT
From: Isolda de Crosthwaite <isolda1066 at gmail.com>
To: Atlantia Group List <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
Subject: Re: [MR] Lyme disease epidemic in Northern Atlantia area

> Mundanely, I'm a Park Ranger in Prince George's County, MD (Storvik).  This
> time of year especially we do programs for local schools and give kids
> information about ticks and Lyme disease.  We tell them to check their
> bodies and clothing after being in the woods, or more likely, a field w/
> tall grasses and bushes.  If you find them in the first 24 hours, it's rare
> that you'll contract anything.  If you find a tick that's already bitten
> into your skin, you can extract the tick and save it for a doctor to look
> at.  (In the first 24 hours, he would not have cemented himself in yet, so
> should be easier to extract.)  I would hope a doctor could identify the
type
> of tick, but if it's a deer tick, they'll probably just give antibiotics as
> a precautionary measure.  I've heard they can test the deer tick to see if
> it carries Lyme disease, but I've been told (when I went to go get myself
> checked out) that it's rare that they actually do it.  Wearing
light-colored
> clothing can help as well--ticks like dark places, and it makes them easier
> to see.  Long sleeves and long pants are better (but I know that's not
> always gonna happen in the summer around here)
>
> Personally, my advice is to not let this article freak you out, but do be
> cautious when going outside into places like I mentioned above.  I've come
> back to my office from a full day of being out in the woods, and found 5+
> ticks on me...moer than onece.  I just make sure there are no more, take my
> shower when I get home, and haven't had to worry about much else.
>
> I hope this complements what was said before me.  :)
>
> Regards,
> Isolda de C.
>
> On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 11:53 PM, David Chessler <chessler at usa.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >
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
> >
> > --
> >
> > YIS
> >
> > Davitt il Bigollo da Pisa
> > Erudit de l'Academie de Espee de Atlantia
> > Storvik (rapier)
> > Roxbury Mill (other things)
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