For 45 years I have worn rubber boots turkey hunting. The advantage is staying dry crossing creeks, wet fields and tick prevention. I always spray clothes with Sawyers. I have bone spurs and the hiking boots feel a lot better. Question for the guys that use hiking boots and gaiters do you have a tick problem? Or do the gaiters help prevent this. Thanks
Gaiters soaked in permethrin definitely remedy the problem....
Quote from: mullet dredge on March 15, 2023, 10:18:57 AM
Gaiters soaked in permethrin definitely remedy the problem....
This, and I keep pant bottoms tucked into the tops of my boots.
Quote from: mullet dredge on March 15, 2023, 10:18:57 AM
Gaiters soaked in permethrin definitely remedy the problem....
This has been my experience as well. Good gaiters will also keep your feet plenty dry for your average creek crossing.
Whatever you wear, put Permethrin on it. Boots, pants, shirts, jacket, gaiters, vest, hat, gloves, facemask and leafy suits. Remember, we are walking and setting on the ground that ticks call home. Don't take any chances, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever aren't something you want to get. These are diseases that effect you neurologically and can stay with you for years.
I wear hiking boots for comfort. I have short First Lite gaiters for general dry weather use and a pair of taller Kuiu when thinks are wetter.
Permethrin on boot top, pants bottom and gaiters.
I wear lace-up (Irish Setter) snake boots sprayed with Permethrin. My bibs.....also sprayed with Permethrin......are tucked into my boots.
Knock on wood..... I've had no tick issues at ALL.
I find that bibs offer a whole other level of deterrence since there's no gap at the waistline for the little bastiges to sneak in.
I say the gaiters make an incredible difference over open pant leg. I used to wear rubber boots for the same reason as you and went to hikers 2 yrs ago. I didn't want to wear (buy) gaiters. That 1st year in MO I had more tick bites than prior 10yrs combined and used plenty of permithrin I thought. Tried the (I sprayed heavy w permithrin) gaiters last year and I'm never going back to rubber boots unless it is super muddy. Not a tick all year. I'm a believer....
I use Sawyer's with pants and no gaiters. I don't have tick issues. I do spray boots and socks as well as pants. I switch out pants but don't wash. I do reapply to boots every couple weeks and I run two pairs of boots switching them up. Both pair of boots I run are leather hikers.
I need to start spraying this weekend!
Rubber boots may be better for ticks but they are not my first choice. I spray it all with my mix in a gallon sprayer. Lay it out on my deck and after it dries I flip it over. I do that with my hunting, outdoor working and canoeing clothing It is important to follow the given formula and spray while your clothing is flat, not hanging, so the chemical can penetrates evenly.
Mix my own permethrine extra strong . Zero issues
I mix my own permethrine and haven't had a problem. Question... how long when mixed is the permethrine good for? Can you use the left over mix from last year or toss it out and mix a new batch?
Quote from: Turkeybutt on March 16, 2023, 03:44:50 AM
I mix my own permethrine and haven't had a problem. Question... how long when mixed is the permethrine good for? Can you use the left over mix from last year or toss it out and mix a new batch?
I keep a spray bottle in my truck for deer season and touch ups during the spring. What I have noticed is, the permethrin will separate from the water, like oil and water does. I just give it a few good shakes and spray away. Doesn't seem to effect the Stopping power at all.
Thanks!
Quote from: Turkeybutt on March 16, 2023, 03:44:50 AM
I mix my own permethrine and haven't had a problem. Question... how long when mixed is the permethrine good for? Can you use the left over mix from last year or toss it out and mix a new batch?
I just read thru the sticky on permethrin as I'm getting ready to soak a ton of clothes. What I'm reading is sun breaks down the permethrin, not age. Not an expert, just adding newly gleaned info
When I get out of the field I store my clothes in black garbage bags. It prolongs application.
I spray everything down, just in case.
My boots, gaiters and hunting clothes are kept in a Sterlite bin in my garage. I do a touch up spray before any hunt. Then when I come home, I completely undress in the garage, put everything back in the bin and hit it with a bit more spray. Then I check myself over before I even walk into the house. It will all sit in that bin for at least a week before I will bring them in to wash.
I've never had Lyme disease, but have several hunter/hiker friends who have, and it's no joke. One guy I know almost died of heart failure from a bad case. He is otherwise healthy as a horse, so if that can happen to him....
Permethrin works on chiggers too. Sometimes I used to get tore up by chiggers when hunting in Mo. The little buggers would get in through my belt line. No more since I've started spraying with permethrin.
After having had Lyme disease I am very sure to spray all my stuff and tuck everything in to help keep the little buggers from getting to my skin. I wear both rubber and my mid-height hiking shoes with "Turtle Skins" (?) depending on where I am going. I do not want that crap again.
Quote from: rifleman on March 17, 2023, 05:17:38 PM
After having had Lyme disease I am very sure to spray all my stuff and tuck everything in to help keep the little buggers from getting to my skin. I wear both rubber and my mid-height hiking shoes with "Turtle Skins" (?) depending on where I am going. I do not want that crap again.
I'm not certain but I heard a radio broadcast last summer where the specialist doctor on lyme disease says your never rid of lyme disease, just depends on how tolerant your body is of it when you recover with the treatment and if you relapse or not.
Make an effort to prevent ticks. I can tell you first hand Lyme disease is life changing.
Paulmyr, I have heard the same of lyme disease. Before I even knew the tick was on me the classic target appeared. For a couple weeks the stuff made me feel like I was worn out and my legs and arms were very painful like joint problems. That has been about 7-8 years ago. I sure hope it doesn't resurface.