The Worst Thing About Fall Geocaching
As summer wanes and fall arrives making geocaching that much more pleasant, geocachers will well be advised that now is the time when deer ticks are most active, i.e., the ticks that carry Lyme disease.
While easily treated if caught early, left untreated it can be devastating. Symptoms deteriorate into weakness in joints, trouble focusing, and lack of energy, with possible impacts to the heart and nervous system. Of course, not everyone who is bitten by a tick gets the disease. Most don’t. However, being aware of the symptoms is important.
Symptoms can start to show up in three days to a month. The classic bulls-eye rash will develop at the site of the bite. Then again, though, not everyone shows the rash. Making it even more difficult is the size of the tick itself. Wood ticks are easy to spot. There never seems to be just one of them on you either. Deer ticks are the size of a pin head.
While it’s easier to get to those 2, 3, and 4 terrain caches now, make sure you’re using bug spray, preferably one with DEET. The warm, blissful days of fall will keep us in shorts and short-sleeve shirts. This is precisely the time that you still need to take precautions.
Deer ticks are most likely to be found in densely wooded areas. Wearing light-colored clothing may help you spot a tick quicker, but won’t protect you. Use common sense. Those geocaches that require bushwhacking may be best left for after the first hard frost. It’ll still be a great time to geocache.
Don’t forget your dog when geocaching either. Keeping up with his monthly dose of Frontline Plus
