Does anyone have a report on the amount of ticks, specifically deer ticks, that they have encountered this season? I have been hearing reports of a new deer tick disease called POW and I'm wondering how likely it is to encounter deer tick, how to prevent them, and so on?

Sawyer insect and tick repellent that actually works

I've found a few wood ticks on my dog, that's it. I know here in the Twin Cities, we had a couple of frosts the last few weeks and that really put a dent in the early season mosquito population, but I have a feeling ticks might be heartier and could survive some cold nights. Here's what I do living in a wooded area... plan for the worst. I always have the kids and I bug sprayed up if we're heading into the woods and I use permethrin to treat my Bdub outfits and I haven't found a tick on anyone the last few years. It's pretty scary that the list of tick borne illnesses seems to be growing, fast. I know nothing about this POW, but I'm sure it's nothing to take lightly. I'm going to try spraying my tent fly with permethrin this year too, as I've heard it helps keep the mosquitos away from the vestibule/door. Maybe keep ticks off the fly as well.

Ticks are going to be out there every year. Spray your clothes with Permethrin before the trip, use %100 DEET on your socks and pants and shirt. Deep woods off on your skin. You should be fine "If" you treat your clothing. Don't roll the dice on these nasty things, use chemicals.

Park Rapids area, Two Inlets State Forrest, last weekend. My friend and I walked in on a couple trails. I was pretreated and he was not. He was picking ticks of all sizes off of him for hours.

Permethrin by directions and go with it!

I just came out last week, we found one tick on a pack. We use Sawyer spray on our clothes and double up with some Off spray. We do a nightly body check on each other just in case. To avoid getting critters in the tent, I change into PJ's when I go to bed and leave those clothes outside in a garbage bag to be put back on in the morning.

Deer ticks are plentiful everywhere in MN. No need to worry about it. Treat your clothes, tuck in your pants into your socks if you really want to be cautious, tuck in your shirts and don't take a nap laying on the ground. I haven't had a tick on me going on 8 years now. Prevention is the best medicine.

I keep a small roll of electrical tape in my pocket. If I find one on me, especially at night, I wrap it up in tape and leave it on the floor of the tent to be collected in the morning. I bring them home with me just in case a rash sets in. If you find one attached, it can take a few hours of burrowing for them to transmit any disease so you've got some time to locate them before they can do damage.