OK.... Lycra.

It's very tight fitting, with silicone cuffs, but does Lycra keep ticks out, and thus not attaching?
I was out with a friend, who took the piss a bit about me wearing lycra. I have always found it comfier, drier and easier to move about the saddle, but he said it was bull that it prevents ticks attaching.

What's the consensus?

thanks.

c

I don't know for sure but understand they grab onto hair usually so Lycra should prevent, or at least significantly reduce it.

I do know a professor who specialises in insects so I could ask if you want a definative answer. It's likely to be lengthy though!

FWIW I'm finding Smidge very effective against ticks.

I have found a tick on me on two occasions, both when working with horses. They were on my waist area so had somehow managed to get through the gap between my jeans and t shirt. No idea how they managed it as I was nowhere near long grass.

Didn't know about the grab on to hair thing but I know that they will commute to a warm moist area, e.g. groin
I'm amazed by the way hair can stick through lycra - how does that happen? you try and thread a hair through lycra - no way!
I would think a tick might be able to get under lycra but not through it though.

Always used 3/4 length Lycra for UK trips, tick protection being a prime reason; does anybody actually do a thorough check when out riding? I know I should, but it's not easy and never going to happen when I am in a small bivi, in the dark... So I just get the Mrs to help me do a proper check during my post ride soak in the bath!

Ticks migrate/commute to the groin/armpits and the like because the skin is often thinner there - my brother got one in his belly button . When I worked on the farm I regularly got ticks on me. They vary in size depending on the stage in their life cycle with the younger larvae being very small, think pin head size, but I still don't think they'd get through lycra.

I'll run my hands over exposed skin afterwards and check that anything isn't just mud but again with with smaller individuals you won't notice them until they've become engorged with blood, perhaps not even then as they won't grow that big and unless they catch on clothing then they'll have dropped off before you notice them.

i must smell bad to a tick as I've only ever had one or two in 20+ years of riding.

a riding buddy (sharki who some of you may know), used to pick up multiple ticks on most rides.