Ticks Give Me The Creeps

@fishtiger58 (29823)
Momence, Illinois
April 16, 2017 9:09am CST
Yesterday @Raelove posted a discussion about ticks. A very informative post about ticks and I suggest you read it if you have ticks in your area. I learned about a repellent from the link she shared with us, and liked the idea of it so I went to Amazon and bought some. My husband and I camp a lot during the warmer months and ticks are always a concern. They positively give me the creeps. This post of hers reminded me of a creepy but funny story about ticks that happened about 20 years ago to my son. We used to live about 5 miles south of the Chicago border. Back in the 1700's through approximately the 1850's the deer were in huge numbers in the Chicago area, and throughout Illinois. They were hunted almost to extinction in this area. So for many many years deer hunting was not allowed in this state. After extensive restocking from other sources deer hunting was again allowed, starting in 1957. Many of the ticks in Illinois are a direct result of deer. And because of the number of deer allowed to be hunted each season the deer are overrunning many areas of Illinois today,hence the population of ticks has grown as well. So there is your history lesson for the day, now for my story. As I said earlier we used to live about 5 miles south of the Chicago border. We actually lived along the Little Calumet River and we had a large grassy area next to our house and about a 2 block long delta area where the river regularly flooded and trees flourished there creating a small area of woods. My kids played there often. One day my son came into the house and told me he had an itch behind his ear, he was 5. I looked and lo and behold there was a tick there. Now normally my husband would take care of this problem but he was at work and I didn't want that tick on my son. So I called my dad and he told me what to do. I wasn't happy to say the least. I got a pair of tweezers and had my son lay his head on the kitchen table. I touched the tick with the tweezers, the tick moved, my son jumped and I jumped. As I said ticks give me the creeps. I started screaming at the top of my lungs, " Get in the car, get in the car ". My kids didn't even have shoes on, I told them it didn't matter just get in the car. I drove 15 miles to my parents house and my dad removed the tick. Thankfully the tick hadn't attached fully and it came off easily. I was greatly relieved and ended up staying for dinner at my folks house. It's a story I won't ever forget and it still makes me itch just thinking about it. Just creepy. Have you ever had a tick on you, and does that just give you the creeps?
22 people like this
22 responses
@LadyDuck (454910)
• Switzerland
16 Apr 17
I know that there are ticks in the woods were there are deer. I can understand why you remember this story and it still gives you the creeps. We are said to always go to the ER if we get a tick and never try to remove it ourselves.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
16 Apr 17
they say if they haven't started to suck your blood you are probably ok and can remove it.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (454910)
• Switzerland
16 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 The problem is if you break the head and you do not remove it entirely. I use a spray when I go walking in the woods.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
16 Apr 17
@LadyDuck Right you have to get the entire tick out
2 people like this
@just4him (303330)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Apr 17
I'm glad it was easily removed. I've never had one nor have my kids, thankfully. I think my sister might have when we were kids, I don't remember much if anything about the incident. My parents always camped and hauled us kids with them. My siblings still camp, not me. I'm glad you got hold of that product on Amazon and it will help this camping/tick season.
2 people like this
@just4him (303330)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 I read her article a couple days ago and from what it said, it should do wonders at keeping them off.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
We are going to go camping in a week or so and I'm hoping this product does the trick.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
@just4him I hope so, apparently this stuff will stay on your clothing through 5 or 6 washes, so now I have to have a list of what I use it on and how many washes before I use it again. It's not the cheapest thing but if it works I'll be very happy.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Apr 17
They give me the creeps, but I don't have options like you, so if I had to remove one, I will have to do it. Which brings me to the repellent. What kind, is i natural? I prefer something natural if I can get it. Here's my funny story. I know Avon's Skin So Soft works really well too. I remember years ago when my daughter was about 16 and my son was 4 and before we went on this hike, I brought out the skin so soft only my husband and daughter declined, but my son wanted some on. Sure enough, within 20 minutes my daughter freaks out because ticks are climbing up her jeans and I looked, my husband also had them on him. However, my son and I had nothing on us. So I help my husband get the ticks off my daughter (she had to be first, she was totally losing it) and then my husband and we quickly left the area.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Thanks, I'll check into this.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Apr 17
@Carmelanirel2 You are very welcome.
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
29 Apr 17
I have heard that about skin so soft as well. What I bought is called Permethrin, you spray it on your clothing not your skin. However its not harmful to humans but will repel and kill ticks and other pests. It will stay on your clothing for up to 6 washes before it needs to be reapplied,.I haven't tried it yet but soon I will.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Apr 17
Less than a month ago, my son and I went on a week-long backpacking trip in the wilderness. Every day we would do a tick check, and would pull off numerous ticks. We thought we were doing a great job of it, but when I got home I discovered 12 ticks attached to me in places that the son don't shine! I was not thrilled of having to remove them all, but thankfully I got all but two without breaking off the heads. The two where the heads broke off, I just went to my doctor and had him remove the heads that were lodged in my skin. I think my son had 7 or 8 on him, but we were able to get those of pretty easily. Next year, when we do our annual backpacking adventure, we are going to bring essential oils with us, as I've read that they are natural tick repellants.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Is Permethrin a natural substance, or is it a chemical treatment? I'd prefer to use natural ingredients to repel ticks if possible.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
29 Apr 17
@moffittjc I'm not sure but it has to do with molecules and such. Check it out on wikipedia or other sources. Wikipedia did say that it is on the World Health Organisations List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
29 Apr 17
I just recently bought this stuff called Permethrin that doesn't hurt humans, and you spray it on your clothes not you skin. Repels and kills ticks and other pests like mosquitoes. It lasts on you clothing for up to 6 washings before you have to reapply. I haven't tried it yet but soon. I think I have only had one or two on me in my lifetime of camping, but I get itchy just thinking about those blood suckers. Good you found all of them Lyme Disease is nothing to play with.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
18 Apr 17
Unfortunately, we live not too far from Lyme, CT, from which Lyme disease gets its name. The tiny deer ticks are what we have to be cautious of getting. My brother has Lyme disease and my dog had it. I've seen many ticks, both large and small.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
18 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Let us all know how it works! Have fun, too!
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
They are nasty little critters we have tons here in Illinois too. I am hoping the product helps big time with that. I am going camping in a week or so we shall see how good it works.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
@DianneN I sure will on both accounts
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@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
17 Apr 17
wow, that is a super-close up shot of a tick. our dogs and puppies here have ticks, maybe too because of our floor tiles, but we often remove these ticks, and what i do is, i put them in a can with petroleum. i use tweezers to remove them from the dogs' skin.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
19 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 i term that as the 8-legged tick. i believe there is another one that grows and looks like a small elongated pea, and when it is pressed, so many blood comes out.
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
That tick picture is from pixabay. No way I would ever willingly get that close to a tick. I get itchy just thinking about them.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Apr 17
@ridingbet Oh yuck I can imagine how nasty that is.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 May 17
I have had several ticks on me. One had to be dug out by my pcp. I now have Lyme disease as a result of being bit.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
23 May 17
Oh man I'm so sorry for you. Ticks are so darn nasty. I hope you aren't having to many health problems because of it, I know it's worse for some and not so bad for others.
@lady1993 (27225)
• Philippines
28 Apr 17
i had them on my dog.. i never thought they would even stick to humans, that is indeed scary I try to free my dog from ticks, but they always come back
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
29 Apr 17
Oh yea ticks love humans, and they can cause Lyme Disease which is a forever disease and can cause many health problems in humans.
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@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
19 Apr 17
I have never had a tick but our dogs have over the years. Yes, hubs are better at tick removal. My husband always burns them after removal. Bye bye tick.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Apr 17
Yea you have to kill them. Once we put one in a tiny jar. That darn thing lived for months in that jar. It's best to burn or squash them.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
16 Apr 17
We have deer on our property, so realize the ticks are there too. The ticks are so annoying and we do not see their purpose in nature.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
19 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Yes, they can.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
I don't either see their purpose, but if you think about it many insects don't seem to have a purpose but to bother us. And ticks can make you ill for the rest of your life.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
22 Apr 17
I have found a few crawling on me, but never had one attach. Yes, they are creepy
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Apr 17
You are lucky you found them before they attached. I thankfully have never had one attach either. I would so totally freak out.
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
18 Apr 17
A dear friend of mine on FB has Lime Disease and it's no joke. Her health has been compromised so much because of one stupid tick. She even went to a special doctor in Europe for a specialized treatment that has helped her a little bit. So we all have to be especially careful of those ticks. They can be deadly.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
18 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Stay safe, dear friend, and have a lot of fun camping! Wish you could take me with you!
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Apr 17
@CRK109 Hope to go next week we shall see. thanks
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
That is such a shame I feel so bad for her and yes it's a life long disease. Really no curing it as I said unless it's caught really really early. I got my stuff I ordered and am going camping in a week or so, so I am going to use it and see how it works. Good I'm hoping. Ticks give me the creeps lol.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53601)
16 Apr 17
I always thought that ticks only attached themselves to animals. I might have a heart attack if I found one on my skin.
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
16 Apr 17
Oh no they like any warm blooded critter including you and me, creepy aye?
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53601)
16 Apr 17
1 person likes this
• Nanjing, China
16 Apr 17
Really funny experience you had there . Fortunately I haven't seen any ticks here where I live in. Definitely not a big fan of those or any other creepy crawlers.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
16 Apr 17
they are nasty blood sucking critters. And you can get lime disease from them which is a life long problem unless it's caught early. you are lucky there are none in China.
• Nanjing, China
16 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 Either there are none, or I haven't seen them yet. Hopefully it's the former . As far as seeing ticks before I used to live in southern Illinois too and I have seen them, but fortunately I didn't have any crawling on me.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
16 Apr 17
@definitelynotaziz they are so tiny you can hardly feel them when they get on you, and hard to see as well.
@snowy22315 (168380)
• United States
17 Apr 17
Yeah, thanks for that suggestion. We do have lots of ticks here much to my chagrin!
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
Yea nasty little blood suckers. We have a huge problem with ticks in Illinois. Give me the creeps as I camp a lot. Hopefully this stuff I bought does the trick in keeping them away from me and my husband.
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
16 Apr 17
Creepy story. and I do not think anyone likes ticks they are so gross.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
So gross and deadly, you can't even feel them on your skin much of the time.
@Juliaacv (48226)
• Canada
16 Apr 17
I've never ever seen a tick before. Your story sounds creepy, I understand why you feel that way I would too!
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
16 Apr 17
I can't tell you how lucky you are, we see them all the time out camping and it's what we love to do, camp. So it can be a huge problem if you don't get them off of you.
• Midland, Michigan
17 Apr 17
After I read through all your comments I couldn't remember what I said in my response to you here, and after looking again, I see that I never did other than reply on Marilyn's response. I purchased the brand Rachel has in her image to take with me to Guatemala although the area we spent most of our time at wasn't infested with bugs of any type not even the night-time flying type which I found to be really weird. I lived for a year in CT and it seemed to be a major problem in the area we stayed when first going there although at the time I never saw a tick and haven't since then.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
and hope you never do again. I see them a lot while out camping and we do tick checks every single night without fail. I am hoping this stuff I bought will keep them away from me and my husband while we are out there.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
17 Apr 17
They are a horrible nuisance and quite the danger. I hope I never have to deal with them. Best to use a bug spray, I would imagine.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
Yes indeed, they are quite dangerous. Marilyn ( paintsonslate) said her friends daughter got bit by a tick, they didn't know. The child got sicker and sicker and by the time they discovered it was Lime Disease the child had gotten brain damage from it. So heartbreaking.
@diosabella (4789)
17 Apr 17
Those things are grossing me out. And I really hate them. Time to clean and disinfect the house and use some tick removing spray. I don't like them crawling anywhere near me at all.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Apr 17
I don't either. Thankfully I don't see them around my house, but see them plenty while I'm out camping. Yuck.
1 person likes this