Nowadays, effective tick repellents are very affordable and are produced by the chemical industry in a wide variety. The buyer is faced with a question: what kind of product to buy and will it be effective in resisting forest ticks? Some drugs repel ticks, while others paralyze and kill them. Some can be applied to the skin, while others can only be applied to clothing; Some can be used in children, while others cannot. Let's consider the main types of anti-tick products and the TOP 10 drugs presented on store shelves, from which we will choose the best, inexpensive and effective.
What types of ticks are there and why are they dangerous?
Ticks are the largest group of arachnids. Among them there are species that are harmless to humans, such as plant parasites, such as spider mites. There are mites that are not capable of biting a person, but they provoke allergies and even asthma; they are called dust mites.
The greatest concern among people is caused by blood-sucking parasites, which they encounter every time during the warm period of the year.
Ixodid ticks are a dangerous species for humans. Common members of the family: taiga and forest ticks. These parasites are capable of carrying serious diseases: encephalitis, borreliosis (Lyme disease), and others, with which the tick infects a person through a bite.
- Encephalitis affects the brain and central nervous system and can lead to disability or even death.
- Borreliosis damages the cardiovascular, nervous and musculoskeletal systems, the possible consequences of which are nerve paralysis, headaches, chest pain, spine and joint pain.
- A less serious consequence of tick suction is inflammation at the site of the bite.
Ixodid ticks.
Where can you find ticks
Ticks, including species that feed on human blood, have a wide habitat. In Russia, the bloodsucker is most common:
- in the central European part of the country;
- in the Far East;
- in the south of Western and Eastern Siberia;
- in the Middle and Southern Urals.
Ticks can be found in many European countries, also in central Asia, on the Pacific coast and other parts of the planet. These arachnids prefer a humid, cool climate. They live in nature: in forest areas and city parks.
Ticks can be found in tall, dense grass and bushes; they do not climb high into trees. Blood-sucking species of ticks do not live in people's apartments. Parasites enter the house only when they are on the human body.
How to protect yourself from ticks
A tick bite can lead to serious consequences, so it is better to prevent it. Repellents are suitable for protection against ticks. There are also folk remedies that are less effective.
Special preparations
You can find quite a few different anti-tick medications:
- a special cream that can be applied to open, vulnerable areas of the body;
- spray for treating clothes;
- pesticides for treating items used for outdoor recreation.
Some drugs only repel bloodsuckers, others kill. Some substances should not be applied to the skin to avoid allergic reactions.
Repellent preparations consist of substances harmful to ticks. Sensing them, the parasite does not climb onto the victim. This group of products is not capable of destroying the bloodsucker. Some medications need to be reapplied throughout the walk. DEET and picaridin are common repellents. They are intended for application to both skin and clothing. You should first read the instructions and consult your doctor to rule out side effects. Examples of repellent drugs are Barrier, Off Extreme, Lesovik.
Acaricides kill ticks. Contact with these agents causes paralysis in the bloodsucker due to toxic substances. Such insecticides are not applied to the skin. They are used to treat clothes and various items. The acaricidal substance is permethrin. It is usually harmless to humans, but sometimes causes skin redness and other reactions. The substance can be sprinkled on clothing or soaked in a solution of permethrin and water. The acaricide is even introduced into the fabrics of special clothing, where it is preserved after repeated washing. Examples of acaricidal drugs: Gardex, Tornado Antiklesch and Fumitox.
There are combination preparations that provide double protection: if the special substance does not repel the tick, it will die upon contact with the treated surface.
Folk remedies
In terms of effectiveness against ticks, folk remedies are inferior to chemical ones, but they can still repel parasites. The most common means are essential oils:
- eucalyptus;
- tea tree;
- citronella;
- clove;
- lavender;
- geranium oil
Their smell is unpleasant for ticks. The oil is mixed with a small amount of water and the resulting liquid is treated with skin and clothing. You can plant the listed plants in your dacha, or spray the area with infusions of them.
It is believed that ticks cannot tolerate the odors of apple cider vinegar, onions and garlic.
What's better?
To protect an adult, from the list above, you should choose combination drugs. The effectiveness and versatility of these substances is much higher.
They drive away and destroy:
- ticks;
- mosquitoes;
- horseflies;
- bedbugs
The price category of combined and single-component drugs is almost at the same level. This is one of the reasons for choosing insecticidal-repellent protection: you get double protection for the same money.
How to protect yourself from ticks in the country and in your home
To prevent ticks from appearing in your dacha, you need to treat the area with insecticides.
Before the onset of the warm season, in order to protect yourself from parasites, you need to remove plant debris in which they can settle. It is necessary to mow the grass periodically, because it is from this that the tick gets onto the body, clinging to the legs.
A sunny lawn is not a comfortable environment for bloodsuckers.
As an alternative option for protecting a summer cottage, a folk method may be suitable - planting plants whose smell repels parasites, or treating the area with their infusions. Such protection will be less effective compared to pesticides. Natural repellents are:
- lavender;
- sage;
- carnation;
- geranium;
- rosemary;
- thyme.
A tick rarely crawls into a house on its own. Usually it is brought in by a person who is unaware of the attached parasite. Therefore, before going home, you need to inspect your clothes. Sometimes a tick can still get into a room through a window if it is not high from the ground. To prevent this from happening:
- Screens should be installed on windows;
- trim tree branches leading to the window;
- Apply repellent to external window sills.
Gardex line of products
Gardex is considered one of the leading manufacturers of products against ticks and other parasitic insects. The products of this company are manufactured in accordance with international safety standards. Therefore, if the rules are followed, their use is safe for human health.
The line of insect repellent products is represented by the following types:
- aerosols;
- sprays;
- concentrates.
The first two types of products are designed for personal protection. The third type of product is used to treat a summer cottage in order to eliminate ticks. One of the company's popular developments is Gardex Extreme, a tick repellent in the form of an acaricide or repellent. It is designed to treat clothing against pests. To achieve the effect, you must use it strictly in accordance with the instructions.
How to protect yourself from ticks in city parks
Many people think that they can only become victims of ticks in the forest or in the country, but this parasite is also found in city parks and squares.
- When walking in green areas, you need to wear safe clothing that covers your body as much as possible. You should not walk in tall grass, as ticks hide in it.
- Regular inspection of clothing while walking will help prevent the bloodsucker from getting on your body. You also need to examine the body upon returning home.
- An animal can also become a victim of the parasite, so after walking with your pet you should examine it too.
- You can apply special anti-tick products to your clothing. There are also preparations for animals that are applied in drops to the withers.
Have you become the prey of a tick?
Yes, it happened No, fortunately
HELP spray
When choosing a reliable tick repellent for people, many people choose Help products. This domestically produced spray is used for clothing. The process is carried out according to the same rules as the treatment of fabrics with other sprays.
According to data from the developers, the effect of the composition lasts for 15 days. However, you can reapply the product after 10 days. Or after the clothes have been in the wash.
Diethyltoluamide is included in most repellents. It repels and disorients insects, which encourages them to keep their distance from the unpleasant odor. The chemicals contained in the compound weaken the action of receptors on the antennae that respond to the aroma of lactic acid and octenol, which are so attractive to blood-sucking insects.
Most often, this substance does not cause skin irritation. But it is potentially dangerous to the eyes and mucous membranes. Therefore, after applying a drug containing Diethyltoluamide, you need to wash your hands well, and before that do not touch your face or food.
Signs of diethyltoluramide poisoning include tremors, headaches, dizziness, attacks of fatigue, tremors in the limbs, and irritation of the respiratory tract. Such symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Safe clothing for outdoor recreation
Wearing appropriate clothing for outdoor activities is the easiest way to protect yourself from ticks and prevent them from getting on your body.
- Both clothing and shoes should be as closed as possible. T-shirts and shirts must have long sleeves and a collar. All clothing buttons must be fastened. Instead of shorts, you should wear trousers. The most suitable shoes would be sneakers, boots or boots. Additionally, you can wear outerwear. The head should be covered with a hood into which the hair should be tucked.
- All clothing should fit well to the body. Sleeves and trouser legs should be tapered. The T-shirt must be tucked into the trousers. You can also tuck your trousers into your socks, since most often the tick clings to the legs.
- A special overall will provide the best protection. This option is ideal for those who go outdoors for a long time (hunting, fishing or a picnic). Special clothing against ticks has smooth fabric that bloodsuckers cannot climb onto.
- All clothing should be light and plain in color in order to notice the parasite on it in time.
What methods of protection against ticks are suitable for pregnant women and young children?
To avoid unwanted reactions to anti-tick medications, it is better for pregnant women to avoid using them. Side effects and contraindications can be found on the label and in the instructions for the product. Some gentle repellents that have been used previously and have not caused allergies can be applied to clothing. You should consult your doctor about this topic.
Pregnant women can protect themselves by getting a vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis. This vaccination is safe. It must be done before the beginning of spring, since vaccination consists of 2 doses with an interval of a month. After a year, a third dose should be taken to strengthen the immune system. Full vaccination will provide protection for 3-5 years, after which it can be repeated.
Before choosing chemicals, you need to find out the percentage of the active component they contain. For example, repellents containing less than 30% DEET are suitable for young children. There are also drugs that are contraindicated for children (this information should be on the label). Young children over one year old can also be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.
A universal and safe method of protection for everyone is to wear the correct clothing while walking. During periods of tick activity, you should avoid going out into nature or rest only in areas with the least spread of parasites. During hot weather, ticks are not active. Natural repellents can be used to repel bloodsuckers.
Composition of the drug
The main substances that are contained in aerosols are alphamethrin and diethyltoluamide . These are extremely toxic components for ticks and literally kill them. Some sprays should not be sprayed on clothing, as this can affect human health. It would be right if the item was first processed, dried for a couple of hours, and only then put on. In general, when a tick smells an unpleasant odor, it immediately runs away from the person or refuses to bite. But, in addition to the potent substances in each spray, it is also worth thinking about the contraindications of the products applied :
- Anyone can have an allergic reaction, and this happens quite often;
- Pregnant girls and those who are breastfeeding should not use the product, as even the smell can become dangerous.
Providing first aid for a tick bite
If you are bitten by a tick, it is best to go to a clinic, where they can remove it from under the skin, and later conduct an analysis to identify the presence of dangerous diseases in the parasite. If this is not possible, you can remove the tick yourself.
- You can use thread or tweezers for this. You need to make a loop from a thread and secure it to the tick’s body, as close to the head as possible.
- Having tightened the loop, you can begin to pull the parasite by the thread. This must be done carefully and slowly so that his head does not come off and remain under the skin. If this happens, you need to consult a doctor, otherwise inflammation will begin.
- The procedure can also be done using tweezers: they need to grab the tick near the head and carefully pull it out. After removing the parasite, the bite site must be disinfected and treated with iodine.
It is important that after removal the tick remains alive, then it can be submitted to a laboratory to be checked for diseases. The extracted parasite should be placed in a container with a tight lid, put gauze soaked in water in it, and put it in the refrigerator. The tick must be submitted for analysis within 2 days.
During the first 3 days after the bite, the doctor can give an injection of immunoglobulin to prevent tick-borne encephalitis. In people vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, the risk of infection will appear only after multiple bites.
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TicksAcaricidal treatment is simple and effective: a master class on anti-tick cleaning of the area
Ways to combat ticks
To date, there are not so many orthodox and tested methods of combating hematophagous parasites. Of course, it would be safer to entrust the work of removing ticks to specialists by contacting the appropriate service for help. However, this method is quite expensive, and, in addition, a tick attack can happen on vacation far from civilization, and the help of a specialized specialist may be late. Existing methods of control are based on the use of physical or chemical methods of removing the bloodsucker.
Mechanical
This method includes increasing the temperature in the rooms where the parasite was noticed, scalding the outside with boiling water, treating with ultraviolet lamps, and installing ultra-acoustic devices.
Complex synthetic
The most effective methods in the fight against ticks are all kinds of synthetic preparations, presented in the form of chemicals created using modern technologies and containing a combination of elements that destroy or repel the parasite. Manufacturing companies producing such products do not stand still in their development, offering consumers their expanding range of complex acaricides, constantly improving their characteristics. How to choose the best remedy and protect yourself and your loved ones from the bite of the acarid parasite from the effective drugs offered on the domestic market, thereby ensuring reliable protection?
