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Permalink Reply by john jones on May 5, 2013 at 22:21

I've took plenty off cats. Get hold of them with tweezers or something and unscrew them anticlockwise. Come out clean as a whistle. Someone else has to hold the cat though.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Sewell on May 5, 2013 at 22:23

I spent some time in a clinic in Germany a year ago and there were several people there from various parts of the world with lymes disease which had completely devaststed their lives. To the point that they were spending vast sums of money (tens of thousands of euros) trying to find a cure. From what I've seen over there Lymes isn't just unpleasant it can destroy your life.

Having spent a lot of time in third world countries birdwatching I am very aware of the potential hazards of allowing ticks to get on your body. For example wearing shorts in long grass, especially where there might have been livestock, is a big no no. Even though I've been paranoid about this over the years I still got one (in the bloody groin of all places!) in Sri Lanka.

For removal you can get special tweezers. Don't try with standard tweezers they won't work. Unless they have incredibly long thin ends they will just squeeze the tick and that's the last place you want to be. Long thin tweezers can be used to get between the ticks shoulders and head and then it can be gently twisted out. Even better is a device (and I keep several of these in the house) that you slide into the same place and then twist it round and round until the tick comes loose.

Check out this website for more http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/about-ticks/

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on May 10, 2013 at 0:23

sounds grim,

do you all wear good work trousers and gloves. i try and wear long sleeves in jungle areas too. ?

thanks for the warning.

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Permalink Reply by John Dawson on May 11, 2013 at 10:43

Just a little advice on this matter, I have been a professional Gamekeeper & stalker for over twenty three years prior to staring this new venture two years ago, if you do discover a Tick never pull them away as they can vomit there stomach contents back into the host, this will greatly increase the risk of any disease transmission. Further to this you can leave the head in place which can cause other complications other than just Lymes Disease.

You can use a barrier cream to help with prevention but one of the best is Avon moisturising cream?, it will also help with midges & other biting insects.

Any dog walkers should take care and look for ticks after a walk, especially in long grass and bracken. You can buy a little device to help remove ticks from pets, its cheap & simple to use. It act like a little leaver to remove the whole tick in one.

Hope this helps,

John

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Premium SupplierPermalink Reply by Protean Print on May 11, 2013 at 10:53

Good advice John.

One way to remove them (as advised by my partner) is to put a drop or 2 of tea tree oil on them. Tea tree oil is also great as an anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and basically kills ticks/flees etc., on humans and animals. The highest quality oil is best (some cheaper versions are diluted beyond use) but good quality tea tree lotion may be beneficial as well.

I have been using tea tree oil on insect bites cuts and as a general hand cleaner for years, it is very effective. And tea tree oil is reported to be extremely effective at killing MRSA.

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