I have heard that the ticks are really bad this year. Does anyone know how bad the are at the cove? I want to go but I dont like to mess with the ticks hope they are few.
Hi -- yeah ticks can be a problem or a nuisance depending on how you view them.
Last year I thought was a lot worse for ticks than this year. I've been up to Heartland Cove several times and on the last trip - the weed whacking trip - I was in the weeds and tall grass constantly and didn't find any ticks when I got home. Usually I expect a few - if you discover them early on before they've burrowed in you can easily extricate them.
I'd say almost anytime you're out in the woods or in the weeds you'll come back with a tick or two - so if you're particularly worried about the critters it's best to use some repellent and then do a thorough inspection or have someone do it for you once you're out of the boonies.
Got any recommended stuff you use? I encounter them quite a bit, lift them off or pull them off and go on. Not crazy about 'em but try onto to get too upset - part of being in the out of doors around here in the spring and summer. May I think is the worst month - seems they're really anxious to find a home in April and May.
Good luck - let us know of any tips you have for avoiding them or keeping them at bay.
The guys on the MO Dept of Conservation Hunting forum swear by some stuff called Permanome/Permathin (one is the ingredient, one is the brand name). It's available at Wal-mart. Won't help you at all if you're naked. You spray it on your clothes. It then deters bugs (ticks, chiggers...) for up to two weeks, even after washing your clothes. I've never had a problem with bugs while wearing clothing treated with it. Read the instructions.
I went to the cove this past Friday, and one day the prior week. On Friday, I found two ticks. The week before, I found one. They're not hard to find while you're there.