Tick tock (Bangor, Deer Isle, Long Island: 2014, safe, land)

[Maineac]

A week ago last tuesday, after a weekend of knocking down next season's firewood, I dug a tick out of my hip. Did the purportedly WRONG thing and flooded he/she with alcohol, then picked it out with tweezers. Bright red spot the size of a dime, has turned into a 1/8" divot and stays red. A week of neosporin, no symptoms or "bullseye" issues. Kept the tick just for the fun of it.

Don't know if I got it in Bangor (area) or Atkinson, from the wife's cats or just walking out back.

Now George Smith's most recent article on the subject in the BDN says go get treatment. Everything I read basically said wait for symptoms. Now he changes his tune.

Point is, it looks like a bad season. Only got one before, no issues. Boy, are there some conspiracy theories about the rise of Lyme disease and the relationship to Plum Island.

Anyway, Ben's 100 ain't for blackflies and skeeters anymore. For crying out loud, the ticks were out during sap season. Now loading up at the beltline, a bandana and boot cuffs. Shower every time you come out of the woods and CHECK. I know too many people suffering from this mysterious (at least its origins) affliction. The medical profession is generally clearly unprepared to deal with it appropriately, misdiagnosing and shrugging it off. Just watch yourself. I got one on me that didn't bite a couple years ago just mowing deep, dry grass on a breezy day. The crotch horn I tagged in November only had two on it.

[inthetrees]

You found 1 tick on you in April and its looks like it gonna be a bad season? This is the only year of the last 3 that we havent found a tick on us or the pets in April. Not really sure I follow your logic.

I think its gonna be better tick season than the last few years, this winter was way colder longer.

[American girl]

Maneiac's assumption has been confirmed in many news outlets, Bangor Daily being just one.
https://bangordailynews.com/2014/03/...-maines-ticks/
I agree, I think it's going to be a bad year. And if I were you Maneiac I would have it looked it. Better safe than sorry.

[inthetrees]

Originally Posted by American girl

Maneiac's assumption has been confirmed in many news outlets, Bangor Daily being just one.
https://bangordailynews.com/2014/03/...-maines-ticks/
I agree, I think it's going to be a bad year. And if I were you Maneiac I would have it looked it. Better safe than sorry.

While I agree it would take multiple years of colder temps to really knock down the population, we had the coldest april ever on record; according to another city dater and this article was published in March, they just mention the snow not the extreme cold temps, as they hadnt happened yet.

edit: seems like the extreme temps dont matter with deep snow, as it insulates the ground. I still cant imagine more or comparable amount of ticks to last year and the year before.

[Maineac]

We aren't in the mid coast and haven't dealt with overload tick populations in the past. Nor did I mention that the cats have been picking up a few ticks. I've never seen them this early in the year. Cold has nothing to do with it unless its an open winter, and then any impact is questionable. They do just fine under the snow, and now they're out and hungry.

My logic was simply a reminder, garnered from personal experience and recent news articles, not a statement intended to engender argument. Any deer ticks in Maine are bad. They weren't here when I was growing up. Population densities vary wildly from Peaks Island (bad, bad) to Deer Isle (bad) to Bangor area (eh, avoidable).

[broadbill]

I haven't heard anyone say the recommended course of action is to "wait for symptoms".

If you wait for symptoms, then the infection has already taken hold in the body and you are looking at an extensive course of antibiotic treatment (month to many months) to treat. Not fun.

If you know you've been bit, go get a prophylactic dose of deoxycycline from your local urgent care center. You can go within a few days of finding the bite/tick. Much, MUCH easier than a month long course of antibiotics, multiple doctor visits, etc.

[Maineac]

Ahh, jeeze, O.K. Everything I read on it basically said if there's no "bullseye," the tick wasn't engorged with blood, hadn't been on for 24-36 hours, etc., no headaches, then "wait and see." What the FARCK are these things doing in my woods anyway?? My first tick at almost 60 years old.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I have never seen a tick up here. I hope it stays too cold in the winters for them to survive.

[CT2MEwoodnutt]

Originally Posted by Maineac

A week ago last tuesday, after a weekend of knocking down next season's firewood, I dug a tick out of my hip. Did the purportedly WRONG thing and flooded he/she with alcohol, then picked it out with tweezers. Bright red spot the size of a dime, has turned into a 1/8" divot and stays red. A week of neosporin, no symptoms or "bullseye" issues. Kept the tick just for the fun of it.

Don't know if I got it in Bangor (area) or Atkinson, from the wife's cats or just walking out back.

Now George Smith's most recent article on the subject in the BDN says go get treatment. Everything I read basically said wait for symptoms. Now he changes his tune.

Point is, it looks like a bad season. Only got one before, no issues. Boy, are there some conspiracy theories about the rise of Lyme disease and the relationship to Plum Island.

Anyway, Ben's 100 ain't for blackflies and skeeters anymore. For crying out loud, the ticks were out during sap season. Now loading up at the beltline, a bandana and boot cuffs. Shower every time you come out of the woods and CHECK. I know too many people suffering from this mysterious (at least its origins) affliction. The medical profession is generally clearly unprepared to deal with it appropriately, misdiagnosing and shrugging it off. Just watch yourself. I got one on me that didn't bite a couple years ago just mowing deep, dry grass on a breezy day. The crotch horn I tagged in November only had two on it.

************************************************** ************************

Hi Maineac,

DON'T EVEN T-H-I-N-K OF NOT GETTING ANTIBIOTICS FOR YOUR TICK BITE!!!

A close friend of mine, down here in CT got bite a few years back, let it go, recently had a DOUBLE knee replacement operation, after having one elbow and shoulder joint done, over the last 3 years!

IF one just let's it go, it'll get into your Brain, and mes up your Central Nervous System....Bad Stuff!

Those little Spirochetes that come from these Damn ticks are vicious!

And to think, "Lyme" Disease got it's name from us, down here in Connecticut, for Lyme CT in Eastern CT. (Right 'Submariner')

But really, go to your Doctor, get the Antibiotics, take them for your two week period & you'll be fine.
I get bit every year, so it's just a normal routine for me.

(Soooo, you really think this Sh*t came from little ole Plum Island, in Long Island Sound, huh? 'Been by there by boat, on the way to Orient Point, LI).

'Stay safe out there, huh!

CTwoodnutt

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

I have never seen a tick up here. I hope it stays too cold in the winters for them to survive.

It doesn't. I thought we didn't have deer ticks here so I sat down on a dead tree near tall grass during the October moose hunt last year. A few hours later I found one on my neck.