Hiking

[Catrin]

Thanks, I've been to Brown County many many times and LOVE it. We were considering a Fall amble there this year, just not sure if we'll make it over with having to run to Chicago to see the new great niece. Right now I can't do much with steep sections, hopefully that will improve over time, but my right leg is just super weak right now.

Do you just spray around your ankles or do you have to do a full body spray? Hate using the stuff, but surely don't want a tick bite.

The mountain bike trails at the park varies Pax, I could recommend a couple of mtb trails that do not have long steep sections. There are some shorter sections that are a little steep but not bad at all - the switchbacks really help with that. Let me know if you plan on going this year, shin splints, schedule, and weather permitting I wouldn't mind joining you. I don't know anything about the parks in the northern part of the state so I can't advise there.

I am just as concerned with mosquitoes as I am ticks, so when I spray I pretty much hit all over. I don't ALWAYS spray however, only when it's hot and humid. I am a bit unclear when ticks are active, so I should perhaps reconsider. The few times I've found ticks they have been on my throat, and they DO fall out of the trees...

[Pax]

I'll definitely let you know if we head over!

Same here, not sure when they're active. I did find one on my head years ago, so now I try to wear a hat. Guess some tick research is in order.

[Pax]

So, a quick look around the net revealed this about ticks:

Adult ticks, which are approximately the size of sesame seeds, are most active from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. Both nymphs and adults can transmit Lyme disease. Ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.

As for prevention:

The best way to protect yourself against tickborne illness is to avoid tick bites. This includes avoiding known tick- infested areas. However, if you live in or visit wooded areas or areas with tall grass and weeds, follow these precautions to help prevent tick bites and decrease the risk of disease:

Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, boots or sturdy shoes and a head covering. (Ticks are easier to detect on light-colored clothing.) Tuck trouser cuffs in socks. Tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks cannot crawl under clothing.

Apply insect repellent containing 10 percent to 30 percent DEET primarily to clothes. Apply sparingly to exposed skin. Do not spray directly to the face; spray the repellent onto hands and then apply to face. Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth and nasal membranes. Be sure to wash treated skin after coming indoors. Use repellents containing permethrin to treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes) but not skin. Always follow label directions; do not misuse or overuse repellents. Always supervise children in the use of repellents.

Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you. In camping areas, individuals who sit on the ground or disturb leaf litter on the forest floor may encounter ticks.

Check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks. Most ticks seldom attach quickly and rarely transmit disease organisms until they have been attached four or more hours. If your pets spend time outdoors, check them for ticks, too.

If ticks are crawling on the outside of clothes, they can be removed with masking tape or cellophane tape. A ring of tape can be made around the hand by leaving the sticky side out and attaching the two ends. Ticks will stick to the tape which can then be folded over and then placed in the trash.

Gross!! Makes me itch just reading it.

[Crankin]

I also use Deet. I found a tic on my back 5 years ago, so i don't mess around.

[Pax]

We were hiking through ankle deep leaves and narrow trails with weeds on either side this weekend. I think when my wife gets home we'l be doing a full body check for hitchhikers.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the information, I never seem to think about checking their active season when I'm actually around an internet-connected device. I've always been a bit nervous about ticks since I don't have someone around to help me check. Even the mere thought makes my head itch It's been a couple years since I last found one on me, and that's when I gave up and went back to DEET.

[emily_in_nc]

Ticks, ugh! I picked a couple off earlier this year -- and off our dog as well. They were much prevalent in the southeast in the early summer, then we got out west and never saw another for the rest of the summer/early fall. By the time we got back to the midwest/east, the season seems to be over. When we lived in NC full-time, we always noticed them most from March through August and very seldom after that.

For those who are interested, I just posted a blog from our time at Natural Tunnel State Park in southwestern Virginia that features a bit of hiking. We were there in mid-October:

http://travelingtwosome.weebly.com/t...rk-in-virginia