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The little sods usually live on deer, foxes, badgers etc. When they fall off after a nice bellyful of blood, they climb up the grass or vegetation until the next warm-blooded creature happens by. So, they're more common in grassy and wooded areas, rather than open fells (where you'd probably get them nearer your ankles). I've had a fair few in the Cotswolds, on Salisbury Plain and in N Germany.
the two times i've had ticks, were two seperate times climbing in northuberland at kyloe. oh the perils of being a girl and hiding in bracken to have a wee! once was on the knee, and i spotted it when sat in the bath and flicked its body right off the head not realising what it was. the other was a bit more, ahem, well you've heard the expression tick in the box, well this was above the pantline...i had a scottish housemate a the
time, lovely lass,but would hold a towel up to her armpits to change her bra, so not that comfy with bodies and such - ah bless her but she did help me out with the tweezers.
According to the doc we've been pretty lucky in the UK up to now IDP, but a massive increase in the number of deer in the UK, coupled with warmer temperatures generally, has meant that they're on the increase, and that more of them are carrying Lyme Disease.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
The scary news for me was the risk of Lyme Disease across Europe. I know that many of us run while we're on holiday in Europe so we need to be aware of the risks. I was lucky that despite running the same routes as my wife I never picked up any ticks, she picked up one and is now living with the consequences of not knowing what a big deal this is. This is a serious problem for anybody who spends time moving around in open countryside, not just runners. We need to get more vigilant about checking ourselves (and each other:eek:) after every run.
Did you have one on your boob? :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by ratfink
I'd second that, tinyman. Some are obvious and visible as soon as you jump in the bath. Others tuck themselves away out of sight. I've had one in the skin at the back of the knee, another one just behind the armpit.
above the pant leg and below the pant waist :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
even my big pants don't quite reach my boobs
Oh dear :o fortunately being a trackster king i've never had to remove one before. They run fast though; i rescued a baby House Martin from one of my gran's borders once, it must have fallen from the nest, and two grey ticks scooted alarmingly quickly up my forearm. As i was lining up to flick them off they both jumped to safety of their own accord and i could only marvel at their clever and sneaky manner. They climb to the top of vegetation and stick out their forelegs when they're seeking a host in order to latch onto the legs of passing animals. The House Martin was hand reared and successfully released before the migration.Quote:
Originally Posted by ratfink
Chris Knox found a live unattached one on someone at the end of last years FRA Nav course - he was busy showing it to everyone when it detected a nearby heat source and made a daring and accurate leap for it. Unfortunately for the tick this particular heat source was somebodys cup of coffee......
I'm itching all over now...
Spent a few weeks in the jungle in Borneo last year. You think we have problems with ticks over here...we had to wear full rubber galoshes on certain treks to keep the monsters out! :eek:
Although after a while you realise that the ticks are the least of your problems...:D