Flea & Tick Prevention

[Texmac1011]

Does anyone do anything preventative at campsites? Mainly state parks and such. It is possible that private campgrounds do something, but I'm sure parks don't. We use monthly treatments on our dogs and treat our yard, but wonder if our dogs could pick them up at a campsite and bring them home or into the RV?

[Scottybdivin]

Systemic flea nd tick treatments for the dogs, like Sentinel. For the people, Permethrin treated clothing. You can purchase pre-treated clothing or you can treat it yourself. A company called Sawyer makes the kits that you can buy at REI. It is good for fleas, ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, and no-seeums.

[gklehner]

We have used frontline for the dogs for a few years now and have had good results in some heavy tick areas. Have not had an issue with ticks embedding on the dogs yet, but they do on occasion hitch a ride. The best prevention is brushing the dogs before letting them in and of course checking yourself. And keep away from wooded/brush/tall grass areas. Be careful with the permethrin if you have cats (we also travel with a cat), it can be deadly for them.
No matter what a tick or two will get past the best defense.

[Knightab]

Originally Posted by Texmac1011

Does anyone do anything preventative at campsites? Mainly state parks and such. It is possible that private campgrounds do something, but I'm sure parks don't. We use monthly treatments on our dogs and treat our yard, but wonder if our dogs could pick them up at a campsite and bring them home or into the RV?

They will pick them up and bring them in, happened to us last weekend at a state park. Our dog is on revolution and I just found a tick in her the other day, talked to the vet and she said it would die and drop off after biting her within about 24 hours. Problem is the one that get in you from the pet :-/ I just check myself on a regular basis and check the dog.

[foreverfree]

We have a yorkie that is a tick magnet as well as a boxer who is a dark brindle (very hard to see the ticks until they bloat). We don't like to use chemicals for our pets or ourselves so did some internet research and came up with a natural alternative that has worked for us for the last year in many tick infested areas of KY,SD,WY,MT,UT,CA,ect. We mix 10 drops peppermint oil, 8 drops rose geranium oil, 10 drops lemongrass oil, and 4 oz of jojoba oil in a spray bottle. We spray their feet and belly as well as ourselves. We have found the mixture to stop fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and no see-ums. In addition everyone spells great and the oil keeps everyone moisturized.

[Knightab]

Originally Posted by foreverfree

In addition everyone spells great and the oil keeps everyone moisturized.

LOL, That is awesome! If It will make me spell better IM IN! Don't you love autospell ?

I will give this a try on our dog, ticks are not slowing down.

[Selah2]

Originally Posted by foreverfree

We have a yorkie that is a tick magnet as well as a boxer who is a dark brindle (very hard to see the ticks until they bloat). We don't like to use chemicals for our pets or ourselves so did some internet research and came up with a natural alternative that has worked for us for the last year in many tick infested areas of KY,SD,WY,MT,UT,CA,ect. We mix 10 drops peppermint oil, 8 drops rose geranium oil, 10 drops lemongrass oil, and 4 oz of jojoba oil in a spray bottle. We spray their feet and belly as well as ourselves. We have found the mixture to stop fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and no see-ums. In addition everyone spells great and the oil keeps everyone moisturized.

Just a thought about spraying only the feet and belly. Ticks reside on plants waiting for a passing creature to latch on to. They do not just reside on the ground. Perhaps consider spraying the dogs back and sides also as well as the top of the head. I would also rub some of your mixture inside the ear as ticks love to settle in that vascular area.
Ticks cannot jump but they can drop from leaves quite high off the ground.