Have had to fip several off me, caught them before they bit. Started about two weeks ago when we had a warm spell. This is on my own property in Atlantic County, walking on trails and some light brush.
I wish I could do permethrin treatments, but I have cats and I am too worried for their safety. Maybe if I treated clothes that only get used outdoors, kept them stored in a bin in the garage, and washed them at the laundromat, something like that.
I have cats too but am not worried. I do the treatment outdoors and let my clothes dry in the sun. I only wear them when I go out and hang them in the closet when I take them off. I wash/dry them separately. I really don't think it's an issue, the cats never come in contact with them.