Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Tick Madness!

44 replies

makinganavalon · 09/05/2022 21:28

Is it me or is anyone else seeing a huge increase in ticks this year??
I live in the Highlands so I know it's part of life but I've been shocked, as places I've been to for years and never seen one at this year I've gone and come back with a large amount on my clothing!!
Anyone else? Any advice?

OP posts:
Itsbackagain · 09/05/2022 21:30

Central belt and yes a massive increase here!

Original poster
makinganavalon · 09/05/2022 21:35

Thanks- so it's not just me seeing things! Toddler had her first one Friday and we'd only been in the garden.
Might have to get some chickens to eat them

OP posts:
TimeForGouter · 09/05/2022 21:38

I really noticed this last year but we’ve only had 1 so far this year which is low for us. Spent most of the weekend in bracken and none!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Original poster
makinganavalon · 09/05/2022 21:43

Ah that's good!
I hope it stays like that for you! I'm waging war on them this year- even bought one of those tickless things that apparently sends out a pulse they don't like! Perhaps I should stop late night googling about it!

OP posts:
dubyalass · 09/05/2022 21:48

Down here in Cornwall the buggers were around in early March. They seem to find me particularly attractive (someone has to!) - I can sit down on really short grass well away from anywhere that you'd expect to have ticks present, and the little bastards will find me.

Paawi · 09/05/2022 21:51

I'm in the Highlands and with sheep but haven't noticed an increase compared to normal just tuck everything into everything socks into pants, t-shirt into pants and make sure to have a tick remover always on hand,I like the card ones, I have one stuck in my mobile case and when you come out of a bush, grass, being with livestock give a brush down of your outside clothes.
As your in the Highlands too the GP I've found tends to be pretty switched on re ticks if you're worried after you've had one on you. But just check often as the sooner you whip them out the better.

longtompot · 09/05/2022 21:52

South of England here and my dog had already had four in her this year. She's not had that many in her almost 10 years of life!

Original poster
makinganavalon · 10/05/2022 10:46

Thanks Paawi, we also have sheep in the garden from our landlords farm on occasion. But this year is the first for having them on us.
I saw online someone recommended a lint roller before going inside so might try that xx

OP posts:
HorribleHerstory · 10/05/2022 10:50

I have never had a tick on my body or my children or pets, and never actually seen a tick in real life. I have a relatively outdoors lifestyle, hiking and camping etc, and plenty of pets, dogs cats rabbits. But never actually come across one.

Are they that common, or are there areas where they just aren’t a thing?

BigWoollyJumpers · 10/05/2022 10:55

Here in West Surrey, we are in a hot spot. Noticed last year was pretty bad, I always get one or two (that I notice), that have to be removed, last year I had loads. This year only one so far, and that was not attached, but we have them in the garden, so no avoiding them. They must come in on all the wildlife we have. If I am going to be doing some heavy duty gardening, wedding or chopping back shrubs etc, I always spray with a repellent.

cannaethink · 10/05/2022 10:56

My 12 year old was happily playing with a tick at the weekend, letting it crawl all over his hands! He didn’t realise what it was til I told him and he got rid of it sharpish 😀
Up until last year I’d never seen a tick, both dc had one in the summer.

Original poster
makinganavalon · 10/05/2022 10:56

Horrible- I've lived in the Highlands for years now and it was only last year I actually saw my first tick ever (despite my active, outdoors lifestyle and living on a farm) and so Ive been shocked to have seen so many this year, hence the post, so its never really been an issue for me before despite being in a hotspot. But yes some places have far less than others.

OP posts:
BigWoollyJumpers · 10/05/2022 10:56

DH caught Lyme a couple of years ago, it was shit, he was so ill. Took him a good 18 months to get back to normal.

BigWoollyJumpers · 10/05/2022 10:59

Just to make you all shudder as well, the cat brings them in and sheds them in the house. Over the years I have had one join me in bed, one on the kitchen floor, one crawling up the sofa, and this year, one on the top of the bannister 😱

Summerholidayorcovidagain · 10/05/2022 11:02

All you Highland dwellers make me very envious!! Awaiting October so we can go to Mull!!
Best part of the world!

Atl · 10/05/2022 11:06

It's tweezers to remove them if I recall correctly? I know there's something we're not supposed to do but can't remember. It's been years since I've experienced one

runnerbeany · 10/05/2022 11:07

NW Highlands here, and yes, this year is much worse because of the warm weather. I don't get them, but the dog's got about six or seven on the go permanently (most years more like two at any one time). My crofter friends say they're definitely much worse too, so I'm not imagining it.
They weren't a problem really when I was wee. Then they stopped dipping the sheep...

Paawi · 10/05/2022 11:15

Atl · 10/05/2022 11:06

It's tweezers to remove them if I recall correctly? I know there's something we're not supposed to do but can't remember. It's been years since I've experienced one

I'd get one of the tick removers, always good to have one, with tweezers you run the high risk of squishing it to grab it.

MrsAvocet · 10/05/2022 11:23

Yes, I was just reading one of the Lake District Facebook groups that I am in, and there was a discussion on increase in tick numbers.
Not sure why - its definitely not warm weather here!

TimeForGouter · 10/05/2022 12:30

Yes definitely use proper tick removers! You can get them in outdoor shops or just off Amazon. I also like the tick card that you can keep in your wallet.

As a family we get dozens every year and have for quite a few years now.

SpikeGilesSandwich · 10/05/2022 19:15

I had two on my leg last summer, little buggers! It's the first time I've come across them in England and was surprised, might have to invest in a tick remover.

Original poster
makinganavalon · 10/05/2022 20:25

Right I'm not going mad. Just had one on my foot while at my dad's house with really short grass and I was on the pebbles where I have never encountered one before.
Think it's safe to say this year is going to be a battle for me- war against ticks. I've just invested in tons of insect repellent, removers, pemethrin sprays you name it I've got it!!
Hope the non-tick force is with all of you!

OP posts:
YouWhatLove · 10/05/2022 20:27

My 6yo had his first forest school session last week and I have picked 12 out of him that I’ve found since. I think they must live in the ferns there that him and his mates build dens in but I’m amazed he had so many considering he was wearing long sleeves and trousers. In previous years there’s been 2-3 that I’ve picked out over 3 terms of forest school a year.

LittleEsme · 10/05/2022 22:04

Are they tricky to remove?!

Lovemusic33 · 10/05/2022 22:08

I had my first one yesterday (on my face), I’m in the SW and get bitten by them every year. There’s a huge increase in deer here which doesn’t help. I must make sure the cat is up to date with flea and tick treatment. I also ordered a tick remover set yesterday as I can never find my tweezers when I need them.

Swipe left for the next trending thread