Tick prevalence in the UK

[amw]

Bad news for water life to let dogs swim in fresh water after treatment

Many things are bad for fresh water, the dogs are treated at least two weeks before the trip (agreed the chemical remains in the hair but not as transferable to the water) they normally have a tablet treatment at home. For France they need one that treats sandflies. Humans also cover themselves in potions of many types and swim in water courses. The run of from industries of many types produces far more issues. At present, dogs polluting water courses is front and forward as a topic easier target than the big polluters. Although main causes of water pollution are: 1. Sewage 2. Domestic or Sanitary Sewage 3. Agricultural Run-Off 4. Industrial Effluents 5. Thermal Pollution 6. Ecological Pollution 7. Chemical Waste 8. Radioactive Waste 9. Oil Pollution 10. Plastics 11. Alien Species 12. Other

 

[mikem]

Yes, I was just using it as an example of things people don't think about

 

[amw]

Yes, I was just using it as an example of things people don't think about

Sewage run off is the one I get angry about (amongst many). Having ended up in hospital after a Wet Sink trip (virus) needing three months of work. Then, spending a lot of years (25) fully recovering from occasional recurrence.

 

[kay]

I've never even seen a tick in my life, never mind been bitten by one - unless I taste or smell funny, but nobody's ever mentioned that before.

I can remember sitting on the ground in Portugal to change my sandals and realising that over a dozen ticks were heading steadily towards me across the ground. Never really gave them much thought up to then.

 

[mikem]

We put all sorts of drugs / chemicals in our own bodies as well, which end up in the water system and aren't treated out.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

You just need Advantix.
Well, it works for the dogs even helps against sandflies.
Note this is meant humorously.

I know you meant it humoursly but I've often wondered why humans can't have some sort of tick treatment, especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

 

[Lankyman]

I know you meant it humoursly but I've often wondered why humans can't have some sort of tick treatment, especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Scientists working on a human treatment have noticed some side effects of cold nose and a warm heart.

 

[pwhole]

I know you meant it humoursly but I've often wondered why humans can't have some sort of tick treatment, especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

I spend tons of time outdoors, but nothing. Spent Thursday wading through bracken in the Peak District and I've been out in sheep fields all day today. When I was a kid our family stayed in a caravan in Fife, which was infested with fleas, and everyone was covered in bites - except me. I think I'll start bottling my sweat and flogging it on eBay

 

[Jim MacPherson]

I spend tons of time outdoors, but nothing. Spent Thursday wading through bracken in the Peak District and I've been out in sheep fields all day today. When I was a kid our family stayed in a caravan in Fife, which was infested with fleas, and everyone was covered in bites - except me. I think I'll start bottling my sweat and flogging it on eBay

You are not entirely alone, never yet had a tick including wandering through bracken in the Picos on a hot humid day (walking companion was smothered in them, don't get too bother by midges and another walking crony came out in blisters after the same trundle.

This series from 2019;

BBC Four - Secrets of Skin

Professor Ben Garrod explores how skin has allowed vertebrates to conquer the planet.

www.bbc.co.uk

about the purpose of skin gave some suggestions, I can't remember the precise episode right now, he suggests there may be a genetic explanation which may well link to the role and chemistry of sweat, who knows.

Jim

 

[legendrider]

Interesting, Jim. Likewise, I've never been molested by ticks.

Aside, the recent hot weather has spawned squadrons of mosquitoes which have descended on my wife as a veritable all-you-can-eat mozzie buffet, yet they don't seem to find me very appetising. There could be a genetic component, or it might be due to all the pyridine and vinyl chloride I absorbed when I was at ICI!

I carry a tick card in my wallet as the dog occasionally picks up a deer tick. They are cheaply bought, and can extract the little blighters quickly without leaving bits of tick embedded in pooch's neck.

MARK

 

[bagpuss]

I can remember sitting on the ground in Portugal to change my sandals and realising that over a dozen ticks were heading steadily towards me across the ground. Never really gave them much thought up to then.

Brean Down was like this today, on the coast, haven't ever had an issue on the coast before. Crawling in Nymph ticks after a lunch stop.

 

[caving_fox]

Suggestion from locals down south - pet hair remover rollers. Those sticky roller things, just run them over your clothes (socks leggings etc) after a walk through long grass. They pick up a lot of the ticks that are hanging on. Probably not practical en-route to the cave, but could help on the way back.