The Great Tick Invasion - 2024
As we gear up for another beautiful summer, it's important to be aware that 2024 is predicted to be a particularly bad year for ticks. Warmer winters and increased vegetation have created the perfect conditions for ticks to thrive, leading to higher populations and an increased risk of tick-borne illnesses. But don't let these tiny pests ruin your outdoor fun! Here are some essential tips and tricks to keep ticks at bay, including how our Tickety Split Bug Repellent with rose geranium can help protect you and your loved ones.
Why Ticks Are a Big Problem in 2024
Several factors contributed to the booming tick population this year:
Milder Winters: Warmer winters mean that ticks can survive and reproduce more easily.
Increased Vegetation: More vegetation provides better habitats for ticks and their hosts, such as deer and mice.
Human Activity: More people enjoying the outdoors increases the likelihood of encountering ticks.
Common Dangers of Tick-Borne Illnesses
Lyme Disease: Early signs include a bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans), fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If untreated, it can lead to arthritis, neurological problems, and heart issues.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): Fever, rash, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain. Severe cases can cause damage to blood vessels, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, or death if not treated promptly.
Ehrlichiosis: Headache, fatigue, muscle aches. Severe cases can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, respiratory failure, uncontrolled bleeding, and death.
Anaplasmosis: Fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. In severe cases, it can cause respiratory failure, bleeding problems, organ failure, and death if not treated.
Babesiosis: Fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue. Severe cases can cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), organ failure, and death.
Tularemia: Ulcer at the bite site, swollen lymph glands, fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. If not treated with antibiotics, it can be life-threatening.
Powassan Virus: Fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, and memory loss. Severe cases can lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord), potentially resulting in long-term neurological damage or death.
Tips and Tricks to Keep Ticks at Bay
1. Use Tickety Split Bug Repellent - People & Pet Safe
A reliable repellent is one of the most effective ways to prevent tick bites. Our Tickety Split Bug Repellent is specially formulated with rose geranium, a natural tick deterrent known for its effectiveness. This all-natural product is free from harsh chemicals and uses therapeutic-grade essential oils to keep ticks away while being gentle on your skin.
Directions for use: Spray clothing and exposed skin, paying particular attention to the hair and skin on your neck and wrists. Be sure to spray any animals that spend time outside in woodsy or bushy areas.
Why it works:
Rose Geranium: This potent oil contains compounds like geraniol and citronellol, which are effective in disrupting the sensory organs ticks use to locate their hosts. It masks the scents that attract ticks, making it difficult for them to detect humans and animals.
Lemongrass: Ticks find the strong citrus scent unpleasant. It contains high levels of citral and limonene, creating a barrier they are reluctant to cross.
Cedarwood: Interferes with the pheromones that ticks use for navigation and finding hosts. The oil contains cedrol and thujone; cedarwood can cause dehydration in ticks, deterring them from staying on treated surfaces.
Lavender: While its floral scent is soothing to humans, ticks avoid the linalool and linalyl acetate in lavender.
2. Wear Protective Clothing
When heading into tick-prone areas, wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs.
3. Stick to the Path
Ticks love to hide in tall grass and bushy areas. Stick to well-maintained trails and avoid walking through thick vegetation where ticks are more likely to be lurking.
4. Perform Regular Tick Checks
After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks. Pay special attention to areas like behind the ears, around the waist, inside the belly button, and the backs of knees.
5. Shower Soon After Being Outdoors
Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off ticks that haven't attached yet. It also gives you an opportunity to do a thorough tick check.
6. Use Tick-Repellent Products on Pets
Pets can bring ticks into your home, so use tick-repellent products on your dogs and cats. Consult your veterinarian for the best options available.
7. Create a Tick-Free Zone in Your Yard
Keep your yard tick-free by mowing the lawn regularly, removing leaf litter, and creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas. Consider treating your yard with environmentally friendly tick control products.
How to Remove a Tick Safely
Removing a tick promptly and correctly is important to reduce the risk of disease transmission if you find a tick attached to your skin. Here’s how:
Use Fine-Tipped Tweezers: Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
Pull Upward with Steady Pressure: Avoid twisting or jerking the tick, as this can cause parts of it to break off and remain in the skin.
Clean the Area: After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Dispose of the Tick: Submerge the tick in alcohol, place it in a sealed bag/container, or flush it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.
How to Treat the Bite
Tick bites can be itchy and uncomfortable, but our Itch Fix offers a soothing and natural solution. It is formulated with plantain oil, peppermint, lavender, and chamomile and effectively relieves tick bites' discomfort.
Plantain Oil:
Anti-Inflammatory: Plantain oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and redness around the tick bite.
Healing Properties: It promotes skin regeneration and aids in the healing of damaged tissues.
Antimicrobial: Helps prevent infection and supports the natural healing process.
Essential Oil Blend:
Cooling Sensation: The menthol in peppermint oil provides a cooling effect that helps soothe itching and discomfort immediately. It acts as a mild analgesic, providing relief from the pain and irritation associated with tick bites.
Soothing Effect: Chamomile is known for its calming properties, which help soothe irritated skin, reduce itching, and help reduce scarring.
Analgesic Effect: Tea tree oil can help numb the pain and discomfort associated with bug bites, providing quick relief.
Calming Scent: The pleasant aroma of lavender has a soothing effect on the mind and body, helping to reduce stress from the bite, while reducing inflammation and redness surrounding the bite.
How to Use Itch Fix
Clean the Area: Gently clean the tick bite area with soap and water to remove any dirt or debris.
Apply Itch Fix: Apply a small amount of Itch Fix directly to the bite. Use gentle, circular motions to ensure the product is absorbed into the skin.
Repeat as Needed: Reapply Itch Fix as needed to soothe itching and promote healing. For best results, use it 2-3 times a day.
With its powerful blend of plantain oil, peppermint, lavender, and chamomile, Itch Fix is an excellent natural remedy for treating tick bites. It provides fast relief from itching and discomfort while promoting healing and preventing infection. Keep it handy for quick, effective relief from tick bites and other skin irritations.
Stay Vigilant and Enjoy the Outdoors
While 2024 may bring a higher number of ticks, you can still enjoy your outdoor adventures with the right precautions. By using our Tickety Split Bug Repellent and following these tips and tricks, you can keep ticks at bay and reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases. Stay safe, stay informed, and make the most of your time in nature!
Happy adventuring!
Meredith
