I HATE TICKS!
At least 6-7 already on my two dogs and it's barely May ....

I laugh at the general recommendations to "check your dog after every walk" when ticks are virtually impossible to find in a GSD coat until they are attached and engorged a bit....ewwww.

We find them on hind legs, tunny, neck and ears, not one place. I have ordered some natural tick spray that's basically essential oils. No idea if it works or really works.

We didn't even have ticks here 5 years ago, did I mention I HATE TICKS?

 

I live in a ticky area too, (thankfully mostly dog ticks) and I would highly recommend Seresto collars for keeping ticks off. They do their job. When Kias was a puppy though, I would find them everywhere around his head and chest. Behind his ears, neck, and around his shoulders. Even his front legs.

 

BE VERY CAREFUL with Seresto:

Popular flea collar linked to almost 1,700 pet deaths. The EPA has issued no warning.

Since Seresto pet collars were introduced, the EPA has received more than 75,000 reports related to the collars, including 907 involving human harm.

www.usatoday.com

 

We live in an area with ticks too, i hadn’t tried any of the sprays to keep them from getting on, we had used frontline, then switched to bravecto then switched to nexgard, but the tick has to bite with all those. We tried the garlic tabs from springtime too, but still found a tick here and there, we didn’t hike in wooded areas. like the others said, the ticks can be anywhere on the dogs, we did tick checks all the time! I’d lay them down, check ears, armpits, back of legs and check between toes and around foot pads, all over! I’d kinda give them like a massage seeing if I felt any “bumps”

 

Lots of fleas and dog ticks in our area, too. I'd originally used Vectra 3D because I liked that it was supposed to also act as a repellent for fleas and ticks. But my vet strongly pushed Nexgard instead so I eventually switched.

I keep our lawn and landscaped areas sprayed for fleas and ticks, but we also spend lots of time in our untreated woods and pastures as well as national forest trails nearby. When I know we'll be tramping through higher grasses or thick wooded areas, I use a bit of Vet's Best Flea and Tick Home spray. You can spritz on the dog and rub it into their fur, but since he's on Nexgard I generally just spray some on a bit of paper toweling and lightly rub it over Luca's belly, legs, and other vulnerable areas in hopes that it'll repel the buggies. So far we haven't had a problem.

 

My long coat got fewer ticks than my stock coat... i believe it’s because it takes longer for them to travel up the long hairs to reach the skin, and i keep a brush and lint roller in my car to give them a once over after hikes. The most common places that i removed them were his face, on/behind ears, armpits and groin. Before his passing and now with my current dog, i give Nexgard (previously Advantix before we got a cat) at the first sight of fleas/ticks (generally a couple months in spring and fall, but not always consistently) and i spray with Wondercide when planning to hike in narrow, overgrown or off trail areas. We hike often... i think i removed 1 and found 2-3 dead on his bed this whole past year.

Keep in mind, not all ticks carry diseases and it can take as long as 48hrs+ of a tick being attached for the disease to transmit. for this reason i don’t freak out if i miss any, once they’re engorged a little they’re easier to find.

 

of course... i reply to this thread then find two today! one on him and one on me (from him i’m sure) 🤣
it’s the season, guess i should start practicing what i preach. our walk today was all neighborhood, but he entered the brush just long enough to poop. dang it.

 

So far in our area the Frontline plus drops have been working although my vet is trying to get me to switch to a long lasting chewable. With my coatie the ticks usually end up around the chest and "arm pit" area and we typically find them already dead. I groom my dogs every evening since we allow them into the bedroom and for a short good night ritual, on our bed. Finding ticks in the bed even once is enough for me to be diligent with this evening brush and comb.
I also keep the lawns cut to about 3 inches or so. I like having wild flowers and clover for the bees but not hiding places for the ticks. I end up with more ticks on me than on the dogs!

I also hate ticks!

 

When we were growing up you had to go down south to find ticks ...now they are right outside the door. Now I've heard talk that back in the day farmers/landowners would burn their fields in the spring, could this be a reason for the recent infestation?

btw my vet uses a comb to check for ticks/fleas.

 

I'm not sure. I have read that ticks live on field mice. The more small rodents we get the more ticks we get. We no longer have as many predators eating the mice, moles and squirrels so that may be part of the problem.

 

Mice, deer, coyotes are carry and transfer ticks. But up here, increasingly warm dry Summers have increased the tick-range from the US border through Niagara and into the GTA over just the last 10 years. We had just about zero until 3 years ago, my entire vet's practice only saw two ticks 2 years ago; we have had 6-7 alone this year and it's not even mid May.

It sucks because we live half our day in longer grass along a huge pond or in the woods adventuring. I never check myself for ticks, I guess I better start.

Coincidentally, just got an email telling me my natural tick spray had arrived at the local pet supply store

 

Our house had a massive tick infestation last year... first time this happened to me in 18 years of dog ownership here in Arizona.

 

Yeah, a few years ago I got more ticks on myself in one month than I had my entire life...and I'm not that young and grew up playing in the woods.

 

For Canadians:
I'm trying this natural bathless spray

Bathless Spray, 8oz (236mL)

Our 100% natural formula is enhanced by nanotechnology allowing the healthiest innovation for your pets skin and fur care. You can now wash your pet whenever your pet gets dirty, makes a mess or starts to smell in a few minutes anywhere you want with no rinsing or drying required. Removes dirt...

www.ecospaw.com

And this natural tick spray. MY local independent dog store carries them so no shipping costs. Hope the tick spray will work.

Tick & Flea, 8oz (236mL)

EcoSpaw Tick & Flea Spray exclusive formulation is all natural, non-toxic, pure plant based and is enhanced through nanotechnology. Our gentle formula does not contain chemicals, pesticides, or any poisoning agents. This future science works at the smallest possible scale known to life (one...

www.ecospaw.com

EcoSpaw Home & Pet Protector Spray exclusive formulation is all natural, non-toxic, 100% pure plant based and is enhanced through nanotechnology.

There are zero chemicals, pesticides or any poisoning present, it is revolutionary.

This future science works at the smallest possible scale known to life (one nanometer is one billion times smaller than a meter) allowing for complete elimination of ticks, fleas, lice and many other insects and the bacteria they could of been carrying while completely rejuvenating and healing your pets coating and damaged skin.

This formula is designed for all uses : Every surface and pets.

Formula contains hypoallergenic, tearless, anti-itch and deodorizing properties which allows for usage as needed without any worries.

This exclusive non-medicated formulation is biodegradable, pH balanced and non-steroidal.

How does it work?

EcoSpaw Home & Pet Protector Spray kills many types of insects but it is not poisonous to them. Rather, it affects their shells (exoskeleton). Because an insect’s exoskeleton is composed of oil based molecules, EcoSpaw nanoparticle action has the same effect on it as it would any other oil or grease molecule. It dissolves it. Because mammals, birds and reptiles are aqueous (water) based and not oil-based, EcoSpaw is absolutely harmless to humans and animals.

How to apply it?

You can apply the Home & Pet Protector spray on your pet, on his/her bed and surroundings. Please note the tick & flea is natural and non-medicated; therefore, you can use it as many times as possible since it is non-toxic. Apply as needed, before and after walks (also helps clean your furry friend!)

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanoparticles are extremely small (colloidal) molecules. These particles create a unique hydrocarbon release agent that lifts oils, dirt & grease by breaking them down at the molecular level without damaging your pet’s skin.

Ingredients: Bio based formula consisting of botanic plant based enzymes and minerals, organic alcohols, sodium bicarbonate, fatty acids and soybean oil blended with water.

DOES NOT Contain: Acids; Ammonia; Animal Products; Chlorine; Glycol Ethers; Harmful Detergents; Ozone Depleting Substances; Petroleum Distillates; Sulfates; Parabens; Phosphates; Synthetic Chemicals; Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

 

we have to avoid the brush this year not only because of tick but there is a lot of poison ivy this year.