Ok, this my sound a little strange but, what is the best way to keep ticks off you in the woods? If there was an emergency would wearing a dog collar that kills fleas and ticks be out of the question or am I talking nonsense?

You know, I've never thought about that at all but it got me thinking. I can't imagine that wearing a cat or dog tick collar around your ankle could harm you but I did check out Frontline's website and found this:

Can FRONTLINE Brand Products be used on pets other than dogs and cats?

No. FRONTLINE Brand Products are intended for use on dogs and cats only. It is not recommended for use on other species

http://frontline.us.merial.com/products/products_faqs.asp

Now they may just be covering their butts because there hasn't been any testing on humans, or because there is noFDA approval for such a use. But I wonder if it would work.

You know--that is a great question.

I don't see why, if you had socks on and wore them over your socks--why it would effect us. But I often wonder if they even work on cats and dogs. I mean, maybe around the neck they work--but what about their hind legs. I can not see how it could protect the whole entire body?

When I was in the Army we used to wear flea and tick collars around the ankle of our boots, to keep ticks from coming up our legs to certain happy parts.

The doctors we spoke to about doing this said it was fine on our boots. Do not put it next to your skin, and a sock will not protect you from the harmful effects it can cause. There are chemicals in these that are not harmful to dogs, but if enough gets into your skin will make you very sick, and if you keep doing it will even cause death. I forget what chemical it is, but it is poisonous to humans.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

Wow! That is very interesting. I would not think a collar could cause us harm. I am glad that you posted this---because I was actually going to try this on our next camping trip.

I understand now though. I always thought the flea and tick collars let off a smell that would keep the bugs away. I did not realize the stuff absorbed into the skin of the animals.

Forgive me--I'm a bit slow..lol

Thanks for the info. I too was thinking about using this tactic with my children who love to "go exploring in the woods". Guess I better not

Well, I guess if I can't wear the dog collar around my neck, I'll just have to dip myself into a vat of boiling water every night I spend in the woods.

_________________
Hi, I'm looking for Ray Finkle.........and a clean pair of shorts

Doesn't this mean that children shouldn't be allowed to cavort with the family dog if he is wearing a flea collar?

I can't even count the number of times I have seen a kid with his or her arm around a flea collared neck!

A kid with the family dog is OK. These chemicals don't enter a person that quickly. We used to wear these for an extended period of time, sometimes for a couple of weeks. If they would have had contact with our skin and sweat, even through socks, we would have slowly poisoned ourselves.

The only way I would be concerned with a kid and a dog is if the kid was trying to put the collar in his mouth or bite it.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

Very interesting question and I'm glad you responded dclaarjr, I'm glad we can learn from your experience.
I've never really had much of a problem with ticks. I've always thought of them in a light similar to snakes. They're always in the area when your out in the wild (unless you're in Antarctica where there are no snakes), but interaction with them isn't a regular thing. I'm a fan of the garlic repellent theory. Eat something with garlic the night before you go into an area with ticks, or take a garlic pill in the morning. Wild Garlic and Meadow Garlic are both common in north america, and I would imagine can be eaten to achieve similar effects while in the outdoors.

_________________
Anything is Possible