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Garden Gate:  Ticks everywhere!  |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
 Posted - May 31 2016 : 03:43:39 AM
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Is anyone else having issues with ticks this year? I found two in my groin area last saturday which of course freaked me out. Both were attached and 1 was bloated. yuck! Now I'm hoping I don't get sick.
I wear long pants inside my chicken boots and a big hat and while I have been doing a lot of outdoor work in the past couple of weeks, this is the first time I've ever in my life found a tick on me.
Everyone in my family has had ticks too, even the dogs. Both my husband and older son have already contracted lymes; and my husband went through about of bells palsy from it, scary!
While I've never used pesticides on my property, now I am going to. Being outdoors is my favorite thing, and now I'm paranoid to go outside. They say we had a mild winter, but I read that even freezing temps doesn't kill ticks.
How do you all cope?
http://www.naturemaiden.com/ Handcrafted Artisan Soap
http://saratoga-rose.blogspot.com/ My published books & other writing.
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ Filled with everything I love!
http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ Vintage Sewing Machine Parts
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Edited by - naturemaiden on May 31 2016 03:46:06 AM |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4740 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2016 : 05:13:55 AM
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I am a volunteer gardener at Morton Arboretum. Ticks are everywhere there, woods, grass, heavily weeded areas. I use a deet free spray for ticks, flies, and mosquitoes whenever I work outside. I always spray my boots really well. The ticks will climb until they reach a destination they like on our bodies. It is good to check yourself throughly and of course take a good shower. They dislike the hair dryer, so I will blow my hair dry after gardening and have knocked them out of my hair before they can take hold.
We are Zone 5 here in the Chicago area and no matter how brutal our winters can be, they don't kill off the tick population. Like mosquitoes they always return. Be diligent and hopefully all will be well for you.
Good luck!
Dawn in IL
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3475 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3475 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2016 : 05:25:33 AM
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I make yarrow tincture to spray on. Works well against ticks as well as mosquitoes. Not sure what to use in garden, perhaps diatomaceous earth.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6624 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6624 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2016 : 05:27:46 AM
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Connie, I think you are going to have to do some research to find ways to keep ticks off of you and the dogs. I think Frontline works pretty well for dogs and your veterinarian may have better solutions for you too. There are herbal preparations as well as chemical ones so I think you will find an array of options to try. The most important thing is to keep them off of you and your animals. My sister had a sick Lab last week and the vet found it positive for Lyme disease. Now he is on an antibiotic and my sister is going to have to invest in something for both him and her as they are outside a lot each day and the ticks are everywhere. My suggestion is to not wait until Lyme disease hits you or your animals as you already know it can be problematic and make you very sick for awhile. Good luck and please share here what you find out works so others can be aware of good options as well.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2016 : 05:36:09 AM
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I do make a natural insect repellent which i use on the dogs in addition to the k9 advantix, even so, my other dogs that had passed away still got tick diseases. Ive been in this house 7 years and have never had a tick on me and i'm always outside. I actually for the first time ever bought a deet repellent and read the directions very carefully. I sprayed it on my boots but not my skin, as I was too afraid of possible side effects. I wasnt even 'in the woods', just walking the the veggie garden, pruning rose bushes, and so I thought the risk would be lower. I was wrong.
http://www.naturemaiden.com/ Handcrafted Artisan Soap
http://saratoga-rose.blogspot.com/ My published books & other writing.
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ Filled with everything I love!
http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ Vintage Sewing Machine Parts
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3475 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3475 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2016 : 08:11:49 AM
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Alicia
I steep white yarrow flowers in 100 proof vodka for 6 weeks. Strain and use. It repels several bugs but needs to be reapplied hourly or so. Spay is also good for cuts and scrapes. Can be taken internally for various ailments as well.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2016 : 5:17:19 PM
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If ticks are on your clothes, washing won't kill them but throwing your tick-infested clothes in the dryer will. As you noted, they don't like hot air. Beware of any lowhanging branches--they will sit there and drop when they sense a warm-blooded animal.
Cindy
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free; And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun. and cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done"--Loreena McKennit
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog on Tumblr: eclecticstarlightcollectorbluff |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2016 : 2:07:37 PM
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I don't know how rural you live. The best cure for ticks (and any other unwanted yard pest) is to burn the thatch in your yard with what is called a controlled burn. You will need a burn permit from your town and, depending on the size of your property, 3 or 4 people to watch for spreading and plenty of water on hand. You want at least a 6 food "fire line" between any buildings and wooded areas. To do this, you need to back burn (set your fire so that the wind is blowing at you. let the fire burn away from you and put out the leading edge (where it's closest to you) of the fire with water). Then when you have a your fire line established, then you can burn the rest of the field. If you're unsure, check with your local fire department about how to do this. The best time is in the spring or fall. It is also good for the soil as it puts nutrience back into the ground. Our grandparents and generations prior did this for years. I'm not saying its the end all, be all of tick control, but it will help.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2016 : 07:27:54 AM
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Uck... Connie! I don't have any words of tick wisdom for you, but I just want to say I feel so, so bad for you! God bless you! Ticks are so gross and can make you so sick! I would be freaked out, too! I am very interested in all of these solutions - especially yours, Lorena! I'd want to burn them away, FOR SURE! Please let us know how you make out Connie, and how well these tips work for you! Big hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Garden Gate: Ticks everywhere! |
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Ticks everywhere!
