Ticks

Newbiesaukee · 04-28-2014, 03:08 PM

There are leeches in New Hampshire lakes, aside from the "Eewwwwwh" factor they are not a health hazard.

Unfortunately, ticks are a problem for man and beast. SSs method above is the correct one for tick removal despite all the old wives tales.

jrc · 04-28-2014, 03:40 PM

You're not going to see a leech unless you swim in some murky backwater. I only swim in sandy spots and deep water and I've never seen a leech.

Ticks are unfortunately now a bane of New England. Lyme is in too many ticks to risk exposure. So you really have to have two lines of defense, DEET and visual inspection. DEET is the only practical human-safe repellant and it isn't 100% effective. So you need to check yourself after every exposure. Your risk goes up the longer they are on you. Find them while they are still walking and you're safe.

You can add a third level of defense with clothing but how practical are long sleeves and pants tucked into your socks come summer?

windsail · 04-28-2014, 03:40 PM

I will be moving up in July, I have never seen any leeches in the lake. Do they try to stay where people aren't. I really don't know anything about them.
Ticks are very scary!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

There are leeches in New Hampshire lakes, aside from the "Eewwwwwh" factor they are not a health hazard.

Unfortunately, ticks are a problem for man and beast. SSs method above is the correct one for tick removal despite all the old wives tales.

04-28-2014, 03:08 PM	#1
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,359 Thanks: 955 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	There are leeches in New Hampshire lakes, aside from the "Eewwwwwh" factor they are not a health hazard. Unfortunately, ticks are a problem for man and beast. SSs method above is the correct one for tick removal despite all the old wives tales. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

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04-28-2014, 03:40 PM	#2
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	You're not going to see a leech unless you swim in some murky backwater. I only swim in sandy spots and deep water and I've never seen a leech. Ticks are unfortunately now a bane of New England. Lyme is in too many ticks to risk exposure. So you really have to have two lines of defense, DEET and visual inspection. DEET is the only practical human-safe repellant and it isn't 100% effective. So you need to check yourself after every exposure. Your risk goes up the longer they are on you. Find them while they are still walking and you're safe. You can add a third level of defense with clothing but how practical are long sleeves and pants tucked into your socks come summer?