The ticks are back!

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by Red Hot Sloth

Do you remember the pilot show of "The Tick", back in the '90's? The tick was played by Putty from Seinfeld. It was only on for a few weeks, based on the graphic novel. It was quite funny. I'm surprised it wasn't picked up.

Seems like most subtle adult animated humor is lost on most adults these days. Fortunately, I'm not like most adults. I need to go file my comic collection and get in a level of Metal Gear.

[guero]

Originally Posted by project_d

Nothing new there, tkblazer is always behing guys.

new sig!

[KeepsWhatHappens]

It's almost springtime in SoCal folks...

that means increased encounters/sightings in this order...

ticks...
ticks.jpg

lots of rabbits...little guys everywhere all of sudden
island-bunnies.gif

lots of raptors
red-tailed-hawk-(far-pastur.jpg

snakes
LotsOfSnakes.jpg

coyotes
171234779_c78cffc014.jpg

bobcats
0714RR_bobcat2.jpg

etc.

KeepsWhatHappens

[TooManyTacos]

I dunno much about ticks, so what exactly should I look out for? How will I know if I have them?

[Reedster]

Yep they're here. I rode Chiquito today and I brushed a couple of ticks off my arm and then found one dug into my stomach at the end of the ride. Yuck. Fortunately he came out pretty easy with a counter-clockwise twist.

Any advice on the best way to detach them once they have attached?

Thanks,

~R

[emfc]

I didn't need to see those snakes! Now I will be all freaked out tomorrow and I know they are not out yet.

[Singletrack Angel]

Originally Posted by Reedster

Yep they're here. I rode Chiquito today and I brushed a couple of ticks off my arm and then found one dug into my stomach at the end of the ride. Yuck. Fortunately he came out pretty easy with a counter-clockwise twist.

Any advice on the best way to detach them once they have attached?

Thanks,

~R

I swear by this product: The Tick Nipper

http://www.rei.com/product/407126

[Singletrack Angel]

Here's a pic of the Tick Nipper:
TickNipper.jpg

[Pain Freak]

Last time I did trail work at LCWP I believe you were there Chopper, and I came home with a few. In fact I was nice enough to give one to my wife. It didn't make her happy.

[Chopper]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

i'll make sure to ride BEHIND you if i'm there... you seem to be a tick magnet

The story of my life. Always the tick magnet and never the chick magnet.

Originally Posted by TooManyTacos

I dunno much about ticks, so what exactly should I look out for? How will I know if I have them?

I can usually feel a tick crawling on me before it digs in but that's not always the case. The best thing to do is just take a look at your legs whenever you stop. You can see them but they are clingy so they won't just brush off even if they haven't bitten you yet. You hve to pull them off individually.
The ones I had on me were pretty small but I could still see them without any trouble.

[Mudd]

bobcats....

[Padre]

Another reason to shave your legs. Less traction points for ticks. =)

[Roadstar_Rider]

A couple weeks ago at SCST a few of us brushed some off our clothes. I am from Washington state. Ticks are all too common up there, especially in the spring. I always liked to use rubbing alcohol to get them off if they dig in. Just pour it over them, or soak a cotton ball in it and hold it over the tick, it should pull out when it cant breathe. a hot match tip also does the trick. Just be careful not to sever the head. Thats how the diseases get contracted.

[OldDogDan]

Yeah, found a deer tick walking on my belly after today's ride. They head for shelter and are very good at getting inside your clothes...If you ride thru any brush this time of year, I recommend showering right after and a close personal exam of the areas where the sun don't shine. Here's something I've noticed -- lots of ticks in mule deer habitat. What else do you find where deer are? Yep, mountain lions, saw tracks today.

[ryandood]

Rode san clemente today and my buddy and i both picked up several ticks each... nasty little buggers. Be sure to check your shoes and socks, my friend had a few inside his socks.

[Permagrin]

the baby coyote is sooo cute!
I may be crazy, but I think I'd rather deal with snakes than ticks...

[Red Hot Sloth]

That pipe full of snakes is just downright CREEPY!!!

[william"d-fens"foster]

ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnn!!!! or pedal faster!

[foofighter]

man this post is weirding me out...do these ticks carry lime disease like their brothers in the northeast?

[Dman233]

Rode Turnbull Canyon Saturday and was okay. Went back Sunday and hiked the trail with my wife and dog. We found about eight ticks on the dog tonight. 7 of eight were embedded, hopefully we got them all. Used tweezers and soaped her down with flea and tick shampoo.