Our small team invented a new tick and insect repellent, because we live at the Epicenter of tick-borne diseases in Norwalk, Connecticut. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), more than 5,000 people a week contract Lyme diseases during tick season (May through August, primarily in June and July) in the United States. This is a 300% increase in recent years. one-in-five of those people, about 1,000 people a week, will have life-long symptoms from tick-borne diseases. At Ranger Ready, we found a common thread among tick-bite victims, they either use repellent improperly, don't use repellent at all, or select the wrong repellent.
Ranger ready founder, Chris Fuentes, sits down with Stamford Hospital Registered Nurse, Suzy Candito to dispel tick myths.
ARE DEET FREE BOTANICALS A GOOD WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM TICKS?
NO. Natural oils, remedies and botanicals are not registered or regulated by the EPA and are not proven effective or safe. These products only last a short period of time and require frequent reapplication. Using ineffective repellents creates a false sense of security.
DOES SPRAYING YOUR CLOTHING WITH REPELLENT KEEP TICKS FROM BITING?
NO. Spraying only your clothing with repellent does not work. Ticks can crawl under clothing and find unprotected skin, especially baby ticks, or nymphs, that are questing and need to bite in order to survive.
DOES STAYING OUT OF THE WOODS KEEP YOU SAFE FROM TICK BITES?
NO. Staying out of the woods will not keep you safe from ticks, because animals carrying them are not limited to deer and can be carried any-where. These animals include: white tail mice, fox, squirrel, raccoons, migrating songbirds and household pets, like dogs and cats.
DOES THE CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) PROVIDE ACTIVE INGREDIENT GUIDELINES FOR REPELLENTS TO HAVE?
YES. The Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommends repellents have at least 20% concentration of an active ingredient. Concentrations over 30% of DEET have not shown to be any more effective than lesser concentrations. Health Canada banned DEET over 30% in 2004 due to its negative health effects in high concentrations and the European Union only allows DEET up to 20%. Ranger Ready uses Picaridin 20% as a DEET alternative, because it provides 12-hour protection against ticks and is safe on children over one year, during pregnancy, clothing and gear.
