The ticks are back!

[Chopper]

After a nice long break, the ticks have returned to SoCal and they are hungry. I had 14 after riding in LCWP yesterday afternoon and one actually dug in. As the trails start to narrow down with the new growth we should be doing a check every time we stop.

It will be interesting to see if the rattlesnakes return also. I have not seen a rattler since last April and I am on the trails every day. Usually I see a couple a week during the hot months but not last year.

[Red Hot Sloth]

Thanks for the good news bro...

[allison]

Originally Posted by Chopper

It will be interesting to see if the rattlesnakes return also. I have not seen a rattler since last April and I am on the trails every day. Usually I see a couple a week during the hot months but not last year.

That's a good point. I haven't seen one in a long time either. I have seen snack tracks/prints here and there, though.

[0gravity]

Does anyone know of you can catch Lyme's disease from the ticks in SoCal (or the Western States).

I know that's the case in the Northeast. A buddy of mine from Boston actually got Lyme Carditis, where the disease attacks the heart, and he nearly died. He's fine now but it makes me extra sketched about it.

[sir crashalot]

i think lyme disease is pretty rare in Socal. It's transmitted by deer ticks, tiny red guys. the big gray ticks, which are much more common around here, don't carry it as far as I know. but, one has been found with Rocky mountain spotted Fever, in Aliso, last summer, which is bad too, but not as bad as lyme disease.

[Wicked Smot]

Lyme Disease is rare here but it does exist. They have also found ticks carrying Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in this area.

Holy crap, 14 ticks? Are your clothes made of fly paper or what?

Edit: Sorry, I guess I am the echo of Sir Crashalot

[station]

Yeah, I spray down with repellent before every ride. It makes your leg hair sticky, but it's my way of saying up yours tick!

[tkblazer]

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

[El Rolo]

I was in Santa Barbara after New Year's for a few days. Some great rides... Cameusa Connector and Snyder/Knapps castle are in perfect condition. Anyways, although I did find any ticks on myself, my dog had a different story. He doesn't tag along when I ride, but the wife and kids and I did a few hikes, and I was pulling ticks off of him the whole time. Makes for a short hike.

Luckily, my dog only had one attach. The ticks were of the small darkbrown /red variety. However, once they attach they TURN grey when they are full of blood. Lime disease is rare, but infection is common. Clean the wound with plenty of alcohol and make sure you get the head out.

[Permagrin]

Nooooooooo!!! *shiver*

[el_d00der1n0]

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

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

HaaaaHaaaaHaaaaa

Like you have a choice!!!!!

HaaaahaaaaaHahaaaaahhaaa

[Schecky]

The two that got me last week were the little red deer ones. Ticks
To get Lyme, the tick needs to have finished feeding - Attached for at least 24 hours.

[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.

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

[Rider7]

While this may seem bad, ticks are much worse in Connecticut where I used to live. Let us all be safe! My best recommendation would be to buy Ben's 100 deet spray. Very excellent stuff.

[el_d00der1n0]

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.

It went for a whole season 2001. Fox dropped it. It was good, but it was "competing" with Friends. Then they Futurama'd it.

[osmarandsara]

Last year I wen on a ride in Box Springs mountain (Riverside). The next day, I found a nasty rash on my leg and coincidentally came down with a nasty fever and body aches. I went to the doctor and although he did not think I got Lyme, he gave me a two-week dosage of doxycycline just in case I picked up something else out there........

[Red Hot Sloth]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

It went for a whole season 2001. Fox dropped it. It was good, but it was "competing" with Friends. Then they Futurama'd it.

Ugh, my blasted memory cells.....correct you are sir, why was I thinking the '90's?

[sdyeti]

I wouldn't call anything with DEET in it "excellent"

Originally Posted by Rider7

While this may seem bad, ticks are much worse in Connecticut where I used to live. Let us all be safe! My best recommendation would be to buy Ben's 100 deet spray. Very excellent stuff.

[project_d]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

i'll make sure to ride BEHIND you

Nothing new there, tkblazer is always behing guys.