I can’t escape them!

by Aug 7, 2012Uncategorized

I can’t escape them!

There I was, morning mug of coffee and the newspaper. Enjoy some quiet before the day started. I turned the page and there it was – another article about ticks. I shuttered and as I read the article, I was informed that I am basically doomed. My hatred of those little disease-filled creepy crawlies has been chronicled twice before (1 and 2) but this brought it to a whole new level: babesiosis. And apparently its on track to rival Lyme disease in the tick-borne illness category. *Shutters*

This is what did me in. Jane Brody writes:

It has been said that Lyme disease moves on the wings of birds, which some experts believe carry the bacteria causing the condition. Babesiosis, however, moves on the backs of mice and deer. Birds do not spread it.

But like the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, Babesia protozoans are transmitted to humans by ticks, which acquire the infection from the white-footed mouse and white-tailed deer. And, yes, the same tick — Ixodes scapularis, popularly called a deer tick — transmits both Lyme disease and babesiosis in this country.

Done. So done. I am already the girl who starts wishing for snow 1 day after the snow is gone. But now… I should look into buying stock in S.C Johnson, the maker of Off! products (I carry this in my bag, everywhere I go).

I am already paranoid about these things and I am ok with smelling like deet to the point that my clothes are damp with bug dope while I am in the woods. I have only become ok with them on me because I know it takes a tick 36-48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted (CDC). Babesiosis is not like that and once you are bit, you could get it (CDC).

So, now that I have made you more paranoid about going into the woods, just be smart, wear the proper clothing, bathe in deet and then do tick checks when you are out of the woods. If I can handle it, you can!

80 days until I am in my Sky Condo and no bug is going to stop me!

0 Comments

You May Also Enjoy…

Finish the sentence:

Female hunters... I did this on my Facebook page and got some interesting response that I will post in another blog very soon. But, if you could, what is the first thing that pops into your head when someone says (or writes) "female hunters..." THANKS

End of season 10

We called it a season yesterday at noon. It was an overall warm season this year, I was bummed not to have snow to hunt in. The season flew by and I can not believe that it is already over! Here is a quick recap of what we saw: A group of 20 turkeys around all season...

An increase in trespassing

Trail cameras are addicting. You buy one, get some pictures then decide that you should have another one at a certain intersection and the next thing you know, you are like us and have almost 10 out in the woods, trying to pattern your deer. That excitement of...

Recent Posts

Meet The Author

Erin Merrill, author of And a Strong Cup of Coffee, is president of Women of the Maine Outdoors, a senior writer for Drury Outdoors, a contributor to the Northwoods Sporting Journal and passionate all things Maine, Hunting, and the Outdoors.

LEARN MORE >>