Ticks

[Esetterman]

Ive only been in Jersey for a year and all i hear abou is how bad the ticks are... do you guys with hunting dogs have a lot of problems with them on the dogs?

[njbowhunter]

You will wish for ticks once you get chiggers. Way worse then ticks.

[Esetterman]

what is a chigger? and what can you do to prevent them and ticks on the dogs

[hd2500]

we use a product called frontline on our chessie she doesn't hunt but she's in the woods alot, seems we have to apply more often than recomended(when she starts getting ticks on her )every three weeks or so

chiggers aren't as bad as everyone says ,then again ticks and chiggers don't seem to like me i'll see them crawling all over my lower legs but only get 2-3 bites , but they tear my wife up after i get in the bed even after a shower

[Darrin Greene]

You'll want to keep your dog treated year round out here. I found a tick on one of our the other day. 1 or teo 45 - 50 degree days and they seem to show right back up. We dont' freeze long enough to kill em I guess.

[The Ridge]

what is a chigger? and what can you do to prevent them and ticks on the dogs

Chiggers are a very soft body creature that secrets a saliva that turns your skin into a slurry in which they suck up.
The saliva enzymes leave a nasty little sore that in my case did not clear up for about 3 months.The sores itch like hell and in some cases you may need medical attention.I was lucky I only had about 30 bites some guys get 100's that would suck big time
In the south they call them red bugs.They hang around sandy soil with tall grasses.
Do not let anyone tell you that they dig into your skin and lay eggs.Not true.People put nail polish remover on the bites as a remedy.If you know whats in Nail Polish remover ACETONE thats why the itch goes away because the ACETONE BURNS LIKE HELL.
Since I bow hunted and did not want to use propably the best stuff for them PERMATON I went with RHINO SKINZ basically panty hose.The mesh is so tight they cant get thru.

As for a dog the FRONTLINE seems to work.

[Cat]

Not only do I treat my animal with front line but i spray her up when we hunt or train and spray myself as well.

I had lymes myself 10 years ago and will always have it for the rest of my life. i do worry about the dog so I keep her sprayed continually.

My do has heavy Blue ticking on her coat and they love to lay in the spots. I hunt a spot on club property in Hunterdon Co. just out side of Stockton NJ thats loaded with Ticks so we spray heavy with Adams I get from Lion Country. I also wash her regulary with Adams plus flea and tic shampo.

This was the 1rst season I cut her back so much after i cut her feathers off and was glad I did it. It broke my heart to do it but it was best for her since her hair was so long and beautiful. It grew back.

I had ony had chiggers once and it isn't any fun. South of Trenton is all Chigger country but North of Trenton it's not.

[Setterman]

Ticks are bad around here. I think they are equally as bad in some of the wet areas I hunt in Orange Cty., NY. The Stewart AFB property is the worst I have ever seen. (And yet look how far north that is?). I use Frontline, but find it's effective only for two weeks, not the four they claim. Get your dog's bloodwork done mid-way through the hunting season, evidence of any exposure to Lyme will show up in their blood work and the vet can treat with antibiotics as a preventative measure. Get your dog vaccinated for Lyme from the vet as well if he's going to spend time any time afield and prior to doing such. I start bird hunting Oct. 1st, and it's warm out then and those critters are everywhere and will still be evident into December.

[maine_sport]

In South NJ, we have ticks all year long. I have my dog innoculated for Lyme disease, I apply Frontline monthly to prevent ticks and fleas, and I give her a Petab monthly for heart worm. An annual visit to the Vet for an examination, shots, plus blood and stool analysis will keep your dog healthy and pest free for life.