Squamish Alert *Ticks*

Rode Alice lake today, came back to the car and found 3 ticks on me. 1 dug in real good and two on their way. I've never even seen one in my 15ish yrs of mtb. We pulled the one out, pretty sure we got it all and I managed to catch one of the others to bring it in for a LD test.

Not sure where I picked them up, we did a big loop all over so make sure you have a good check after your rides and don't forget to check the dogs too.

I've heard it is a bad year already for ticks.

The area between Gouranga and icy hole is really bad.
I have taken 10+ ticks off my dog regularly when hanging out in that zone.
He is a white dog, so is doomed.
Ticks are attracted to bright colours.

Sorry enduro-fashionista's but your colour choices are going to get you ticked.

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/what-to-do-after-a-tick-bite-to-prevent-lyme-disease-beyond-the-basics

and the BC Centre for Disease Control's info:

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease-borrelia-burgdorferi-infection

Anybody use tick removal tools? Lee Valley has one:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?cat=2,51555[HTML_REMOVED]p=67728

and there are several others on the market that use a twisting motion, I have seen one of these types used on a dog on TV.

Here's a summary article on removal tools. Fine tipped tweezers seem to be fine.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/can-tick-removal-tools-top-tweezers-1437414033

Ticks and lyme disease really freak me out.

Where did you find them on your body? What alerted you to the ticks?

I had a decent crash on entrails and as I was admiring my wounds in the car window reflection, I noticed a mark on my hip where I didn't seem to be hurt. Turns out that's where the little guy decided to burrow in.

I was definitely laying in the dirt for a while so maybe they got on there, but that day we rode crouching, cheesesteak, treasure, entrails then over to mad hatter and man boobs then out via 4 lakes so I could have picked them up anywhere.

Of the 2 others one was just setting up shop on my shoulder and the last one was still looking for a spot so I figure they got on my jersey somewhere and worked in from there.

pretty sure you can get a tick key at any vet. Also, for pets, there is a monthly or bi-monthly tick and flea pill to give your dogs. It poisons the dogs blood and the ticks die on the host. super effective, worry free, and inexpensive a must have for Squamton dogs.

edit tick key from pet store

huh. my ninth anniversary. Have to get myself something.

I love Squampton but I can see getting stalked by a cougar, getting my bike stolen and getting Lyme Disease all in one week.
:crybaby:

:)

I love Squampton but I can see getting stalked by a cougar, getting my bike stolen and getting Lyme Disease all in one week.
:crybaby:

:)

It's known as the Triple Crown!

It's known as the Triple Crown!

sounds like the Triple Frown!

Not surprisingly, MEC has several tick removers.

I picked up a couple of pairs of the Lifesystems tweezers as they look well made and aren't as gimicky as the others, and could serve other useful purposes perhaps in a first aid kit.

http://www.mec.ca/product/5028-397/lifesystems-tick-remover/

http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/ticked-off-the-mystery-of-lyme-disease

Deet. I never thought I would ever think of Deeting my legs for rides. Deet works. And it keeps the mozzies off :)