Ticks & Chiggers--a study

stiltzkin

Explorer
Feb 8, 2022
539
806
Medford
Well, not before it's finished clinical trials, no. If it's fully approved and proven to be effective and well tolerated, possibly.
 

Sue Gremlin

Piney
Sep 13, 2005
1,286
245
61
Vicksburg, Michigan
I give a lot of lectures about tick control for animals, and someone *always* asks me this question: Can I take this product? I have to tell them to please follow label instructions, they're for dogs only. I wondered when someone would try to make one for people. I think I'll take it but I'll read the data first. I am assuming it's an isoxazoline, but I am not sure.
Edit: It's lotilaner, which is an isoxazoline, currently sold as Credelio for dogs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stiltzkin

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,649
4,826
Pines; Bamber area
I don't think I'll risk it in the near term, and even in the long term, I'd still use all the current precautions, because once that feeding tube penetrates, that is the start of grief for me. I doubt their death would mean I would not itch for 7 to 10 days.
 

Boyd

Administrator
Staff member
Site Administrator
Jul 31, 2004
9,815
2,995
Ben's Branch, Stephen Creek
Are these engorged tick nymphs? A bunch came off the long-haired feral cat I've been domesticating when I brushed her (she has flea treatment but not ticks). Sorry for the bad iPhone pix. They're really tiny - I had to get out a magnifying glass to be sure they were even bugs. They look like tiny dark brown dots to the naked eye.

1.jpg




3.jpg



2.jpg
 

Boyd

Administrator
Staff member
Site Administrator
Jul 31, 2004
9,815
2,995
Ben's Branch, Stephen Creek
They sure are, have gotten several bites on my ankles over the past few days. Never actually saw them though. Just treated a fresh pair of shoes, sock and pants with permethrin, don't think I've gotten any new ones since then (yet).
 

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,649
4,826
Pines; Bamber area
I encourage everyone to have a zoom microscope in their home. Ever since I've had my mine, I can't see how I could get along without it. It's not just for plant ID.

Identify creatures
Read very small print
Pull out splinters, barbs, and thorns (indispensible)
Work on very small parts. You can raise the head 7" above the stage.
Show your grandkids weird bugs.
 

Sue Gremlin

Piney
Sep 13, 2005
1,286
245
61
Vicksburg, Michigan
Are these engorged tick nymphs? A bunch came off the long-haired feral cat I've been domesticating when I brushed her (she has flea treatment but not ticks). Sorry for the bad iPhone pix. They're really tiny - I had to get out a magnifying glass to be sure they were even bugs. They look like tiny dark brown dots to the naked eye.

View attachment 23250



View attachment 23252


View attachment 23251
I think these are larval lone star ticks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boyd

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,649
4,826
Pines; Bamber area
What has me wondering is, why is it evenly oval, and not teardrop shape. And the larvae usuall have a transparent look to them. Boyd, if you get more you could mail me one or two and I'll stick it under the scope. Kill with alcohol and stick it in a baggie so it wont dry out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boyd

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,649
4,826
Pines; Bamber area
This past year, I have not had any tick bites that I remember, and only once did I have some larvae on my pants. 2022 was a very dry year, and this year is of course extremely dry. It makes me wonder if we've come to an inflexion point, wherein so many hundreds of millions of them die due to no moisture, that they may take several years to rebound. Would be great if so. I understand from some searches that they absolutely need moisture.

PS: I like myth #4 in this link. Not saying he's right, but intuitively it seems so.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: manumuskin

manumuskin

Piney
Jul 20, 2003
8,673
2,586
60
millville nj
www.youtube.com
This past year, I have not had any tick bites that I remember, and only once did I have some larvae on my pants. 2022 was a very dry year, and this year is of course extremely dry. It makes me wonder if we've come to an inflexion point, wherein so many hundreds of millions of them die due to no moisture, that they may take several years to rebound. Would be great if so. I understand from some searches that they absolutely need moisture.

PS: I like myth #4 in this link. Not saying he's right, but intuitively it seems so.

I think the ticks down here have been rare from the decimated deer population in Eastern Cumberland County.West of the Cohansey the population is fine but over here deer are few and far between now.Nice to be able to ride to and from work at midnight without having to worry about them totaling my vehicle though I have known two people to hit one in the last couple months,my daughter being one. so there are still a few out there.has the population in the barrens been hit by the water borne brain worm that has rubbed out so many deer down here?
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobpbx

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,649
4,826
Pines; Bamber area
I think the ticks down here have been rare from the decimated deer population in Eastern Cumberland County.West of the Cohansey the population is fine but over here deer are few and far between now.Nice to be able to ride to and from work at midnight without having to worry about them totaling my vehicle though I have known two people to hit one in the last couple months,my daughter being one. so there are still a few out there.has the population in the barrens been hit by the water borne brain worm that has rubbed out so many deer down here?
I recall, when I was at Lakehurst doing surveys in 2021, they have these small ponds dug about 1/8 of an acre round and 6 feet deep or so, in strategic areas so they could run to one and fill up the fire truck. Deer were walking into them and dying.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: manumuskin

manumuskin

Piney
Jul 20, 2003
8,673
2,586
60
millville nj
www.youtube.com
Drought can reduce tick population through desication. Per what I read. Yes, drought is good when it comes to ticks.
I know ticks feed on deer so I would assume a reduction in deer population would result in a like wise tick reduction.I havent chanced it with the larvae yet.Haven't been in the woods much all summer with a bad knee I"m waiting to get replaced and losing one of my best friends,the one I have been hunting arrowheads with and have been friends with since the 80's. Kind of been avoiding our hunting spots. been out a few times with another friend and have gotten no ticks but not sure if it is there are no ticks or the peremethrin on my shores and socks,probably the latter.
 

Boyd

Administrator
Staff member
Site Administrator
Jul 31, 2004
9,815
2,995
Ben's Branch, Stephen Creek
I haven't noticed much difference at my place this summer. Like pretty much every year, I get one or two bites at the beginning of the season when I'm too stubborn to start using permethrin and taking precautions. After that, no bites. And the ticks are almost always gone by the hot weather in August here. But I got chigged pretty good a few times this year, most recent was just a few weeks ago after I thought the season was over. Got two bites on an ankle.
 
Top