Bug season and bites.

CADplans · Jun 29, 2018

I just tried something different the last few days,,
we have those little bugs that LOVE to buzz around your head, and like to land in an ear on occasion,,
and,,
mosquitoes,
regular flies
May flies (they bite, love the back of your hand when mowing)
etc,,,

well,, I have used "OFF!!" with some success.

Recently I heard about using "BOUNCE" dryer sheets, at Sams, they only cost $0.02 each.

Well, the results are shocking, the BOUNCE dryer sheets seems to really help keep the bugs away.
I have a "BOONIE" hat, it has the loops around the circumference, I just tuck the dryer sheet in a loop.

If the bugs are really bad, rub the dryer sheet on your shoulders and hands before tucking it into the hat band,,

The wife is really happy with the results, we have picked blackberries twice, NO bugs!! :thumbsup:

PILOON · Jun 29, 2018

Black flies, Deer flies, Horse flies, Sand Gnats, Skitters we got them all and now we need to watch out for ticks as well.
And they all bite!

And I forgot Wasps, Hornets and Bees.

JamesHW · Jul 1, 2018

A friend of a friend nearby our place died from a tick bite where he contracted powassan virus. Unlike Lyme that usually is transmitted at the end of the tick feeding (the tick disgorge), while powassan is transmitted shortly after the tick burrows in.

We have cats so are careful with permethrin as they can get poisoned by it (supposedly dogs are more resistant). We’ve starting using cedar oil based products around the house where everyone hangs out.

Jstpssng · Jul 1, 2018

JamesHW said:
A friend of a friend nearby our place died from a tick bite where he contracted powassan virus. Unlike Lyme that usually is transmitted at the end of the tick feeding (the tick disgorge), while powassan is transmitted shortly after the tick burrows in.

We have cats so are careful with permethrin as they can get poisoned by it (supposedly dogs are more resistant). We’ve starting using cedar oil based products around the house where everyone hangs out.

I've read that here before. Yet the Zodiac flea and tick spray with Permethrin Zodiac : Dog : Zodiac(R) Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs, Cats, Puppies & Kittens that I use for my dog is also recommended for cats and kittens.

GirlWhoWantsTractor · Jul 1, 2018

Funny, when we were kids we used to think nothing of pulling off a tick--just part of spending time outside. Now that we're learning about all these scary diseases, it seems a lot more serious. Honestly it was one more reason I wanted to live at 3,000 ft elevation. Way less insects. We basically have no mosquitos, fewer spiders, no gnats at all. And I've been roaming this property for 5 years and have never had a tick latch on. Did find one crawling up my jeans once.

Had a hurt, swollen knee a couple years ago, which can be a symptom of Lyme so doc got me tested. Turned out to be just a hurt knee, but that's how I accidentally found out I was at some point in my life exposed to a tick disease, probably many years ago when I was a flatlander (they can tell from the test if exposure was recent or long ago). I wasn't sick but doc gave me the 30-day doxycyline treatment anyhow.

Couple things I read:

1) Apparently mice are somehow an important part of the tick lifecycle. Control mice, which I do with human catch-and-release traps.
2) It's a myth that ticks drop down from trees.
3) Ticks love tall grass, which we all know, but also will overwinter in fall leaves. One reason I make a big effort every year to clear all the fallen leaves from anywhere near the house and off the trails too.
4) I always wear knee-high boots (canvas and leather) in the woods or tall grass. I spray them with repellent but am also experimenting with wrapping double-sided sticky tape around the tops.
5) My neighbors swear if you have free-roaming chickens they will eat all the ticks. One more reason to have them.
6) Don't touch ticks with your bare hands if you can help it; some of their nasty bacteria can spread to your hands/skin even if they don't bite you.

Dftodd · Jul 1, 2018

The little lady down at the end of the road was sick for a couple years. Had balance issues, constantly with cold and flu symptoms, and a slew of other issues. Doctors just chalked it up to old age. Daughter insisted she be tested for tick diseases. Come to find out she tested positive for rocky mountain spotted fever. Poor lady had it for 2 years.

ruffdog · Jul 1, 2018

"1) Apparently mice are somehow an important part of the tick lifecycle."

Last winter I trapped mice like I never did before and this spring/summer has been better tick wise.

CADplans · Jul 2, 2018

ruffdog said:
"1) Apparently mice are somehow an important part of the tick lifecycle."

Last winter I trapped mice like I never did before and this spring/summer has been better tick wise.

The Deer Tick Lifecycle in Worcester

JamesHW · Jul 2, 2018

Jstpssng said:
I've read that here before. Yet the Zodiac flea and tick spray with Permethrin Zodiac : Dog : Zodiac(R) Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs, Cats, Puppies & Kittens that I use for my dog is also recommended for cats and kittens.

From here: Small Animal Toxicoses - Insecticides

Cats are more likely than dogs to develop pyrethroid toxicosis. This is due to the feline liver being inefficient at glucuronide conjugation. Glucuronide conjugation is needed to metabolize permethrin. The low concentration products approved for cats contain 0.05-0.1% of permethrin and do not seem to cause the signs that the concentrated (45-65% permethrin) canine spot-ons do. (MacDonald, 1995) Permethrin toxicity usually occurs when the owner applies the dog spot-on product to the cat; however, cats which actively groom or engage in close physical contact with recently treated dogs may also be at risk of toxic exposure. The severity of permethrin toxicity varies with each individual. Some cats develop signs when only “one drop” is applied, while others show no clinical signs after an entire vial is used.