Ticks in Georgia / N.C./ Tennessee

**Brad L** · 03-09-2016, 13:56

Just wondering how much I really need to worry about tick's between Springer and Fontana Dam during the month of April? Or, even into the Smokies. I believe this area would not be too bad this time of year, any thoughts?

**Blissful** · 03-09-2016, 14:03

Always be concerned about ticks. Use permethrin on your clothing, socks and shoes.

**Gambit McCrae** · 03-09-2016, 14:05

There are ticks in every state along the AT. I personally choose to take them as they come as I do not want chemicals on my body. Rarely do they stay on long enough to set a bite but there seems to be tick sightings year round. You get a couple warm days in a row and they come out. If you stay on the trail, and not getting over in the undergrowth too much you should be just fine.

**tarditi** · 03-09-2016, 15:03

Ticks are there... deer ticks, dog ticks... how you deal with them is up to you. I know a few people with lyme's and it's no fun whatsoever.

**Tipi Walter** · 03-09-2016, 16:20

I'm taking my sea to summit headnet for a March trip as the gnats are out intermittently. Ticks are dealt with on a per-tick basis. No chems please.

**Traveler** · 03-09-2016, 16:35

Ticks are pretty much omnipresent in the forest environment, though not all of them carry diseases. They get a little sluggish when the temps get below 40 and under about 30 degrees they will go into a dormant state. Once they warm up a bit though, they are up and around looking for adventure.

I wouldn't be overly worried, but they should be in the back of your mind. Deer ticks carry Lyme disease and are very, very small, making them difficult to see, a good technique is to use your hands as you self inspect. Ticks also stick well to manmade fiber (think velcro), so gentle shaking may not do the trick if you have some on a shirt or pants.

**HooKooDooKu** · 03-09-2016, 17:16

There's places where ticks are bad, and places where ticks are not so bad.

One example is that GSMNP seems to be such a humid area, that tick, while they exist, don't thrive. In the 20 years I've been camping in GSMNP, I've seen more ticks on the ground or on a tree than I've ever seen on my or any of my kids or other hiking partners.

**NewHeart** · 03-09-2016, 20:07

I'm glad I saw this post! I will error on the side of precaution! As some of you know, I am a heart transplant and can't afford a tick bite as it could be deadly for me. That said I'm with Bliss.

**Offshore** · 03-09-2016, 20:26

Originally Posted by NewHeart

I'm glad I saw this post! I will error on the side of precaution! As some of you know, I am a heart transplant and can't afford a tick bite as it could be deadly for me. That said I'm with Bliss.

Since the stakes are so high for you, look for InsectShield clothing or send in your own to be treated. http://www.insectshield.com/

**The Cleaner** · 03-09-2016, 20:43

I haven't had a tick on me in like 20 years of hiking the TN/NC area.I don't do much hiking after June and usually don't start again till September. Tipi Walter is spot on with the headnet-the biting gnats will drive you crazy on certain days once it warms up.

I highly recommend a headnet for the warmer days here in the south.The biting gnats seem to have a cycle where they may be terrible for a few days then gone for a few days.One reason I enjoy the cold weather,no gnats and less people...

**pauly_j** · 03-10-2016, 05:58

Originally Posted by NewHeart

error on the side of precaution!

I love that. I hate people who feel the need to correct people on grammar and spelling but that is so far of the mark that I want to help. The figure of speech is to 'err on the side of caution'.

**Harrison Bergeron** · 03-10-2016, 16:31

I did that section last year in May and didn't see tick one. I soaked all my gear in Permethrin, but the guys I was hiking with didn't and they didn't see any ticks either. It was still getting down to around freezing most nights, so maybe they weren't out in force yet.

**codrock** · 03-13-2016, 14:34

Nicely stated. I was so tempted to comment on that blurb but was searching for a way so as not to offend.

**Uncle Joe** · 03-13-2016, 14:42

If you don't treat your clothes, it's a gamble. The vast majority of Lyme cases occur in the Northeast. That said, I know people in the South who have caught Lyme. One, who is a hiker and instructor, treats everything with permethrin now. Clothes, pack, and tent. I treat my shoes, socks, and pants at the least.

**Tipi Walter** · 03-13-2016, 14:46

I give no thought to ticks; not thinking about them before a trip, during a trip or after a trip. And I live in tick-infested East Tennessee. Ticks were placed here on Earth to keep me indoors and worrying, I guess. Except they are not working cuz I'm out all the time and not worrying about them.

Mayo Clinic says---
Lyme infection is unlikely if the tick is attached for less than 36 to 48 hours."

So pull them off, folks. Probably one reason I don't worry about them is because I live outside the lyme area---East TN---

Plus, if you find the telltale rash associated with lyme, antibiotics are near certain to kill it.

**Cadenza** · 03-13-2016, 23:11

Originally Posted by Tipi Walter

I don't worry about them is because I live outside the lyme area---East TN---

True. But we are smack dab in Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever territory.
RMSF can be some bad news.

**NewHeart** · 03-14-2016, 08:15

Originally Posted by pauly_j

I love that. I hate people who feel the need to correct people on grammar and spelling but that is so far of the mark that I want to help. The figure of speech is to 'err on the side of caution'.

Really,nit picking!

**nsherry61** · 03-14-2016, 08:45

Originally Posted by NewHeart

Really,nit picking!

Yeah, but picking tick's isn't the same thing as picking nits because ticks aren't laying their eggs on our hair follicles. ;-)

**saltysack** · 03-14-2016, 21:18

Originally Posted by The Cleaner

I haven't had a tick on me in like 20 years of hiking the TN/NC area.I don't do much hiking after June and usually don't start again till September. Tipi Walter is spot on with the headnet-the biting gnats will drive you crazy on certain days once it warms up.

I highly recommend a headnet for the warmer days here in the south.The biting gnats seem to have a cycle where they may be terrible for a few days then gone for a few days.One reason I enjoy the cold weather,no gnats and less people...

My experience also...never even had one on my dogs that I have found...I do treat pants with permethrin and dogs on flea tick preventative as well as bathe before and after with Adams flea shampoo. Check regularly but don't sweat it.....

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Old_Man** · 03-15-2016, 11:05

Originally Posted by pauly_j

I love that. I hate people who feel the need to correct people on grammar and spelling but that is so far of the mark that I want to help. The figure of speech is to 'err on the side of caution'.

I believe the correct phrase is "far OFF the mark" not "far OF the mark." I mean, since we're splitting hairs here...

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