Bug season and bites.

[CADplans]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

"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]

"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]

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.

 

[Jstpssng]

/\ I wasn't questioning you, I just found it rather odd that they are selling it as safe for cats and kittens.

 

[TomIre]

Google tick tubes. I made up a hundred or so out of plastic conduit and scattered them around my property. Only pulled one tick off me this year. Hate them little buggers!

 

[ruffdog]

Tick tubes....this sounds interesting.....

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Just be thankful you do not attract every biting bug known to man. My wife is allergic to them all. Even in hot weather she has to bundle up, tie her sleeves and trouser legs, use spray and somehow they still get her. She has had many trips to the Urgent Care and ER with Cellulite.

Ron

 

[CADplans]

Google tick tubes. I made up a hundred or so out of plastic conduit and scattered them around my property. Only pulled one tick off me this year. Hate them little buggers!

I guess I have to build this,, it is a Super Tick Tube!!

I wonder,, if I hang it from a branch, will that keep the raccoons out??
I guess raccoons need treated too,,,

 

[newbury]

I've been diagnosed with Lyme disease twice. I take ticks very seriously. The "tick tube" approach is good for the small lot area, but I've hundreds of acres to roam so it's not for me.

Permethrin is my go to solution, spray it on all my exterior work clothes, boots and gloves when I'm about to go into tick infested areas.

I'm also a big fan of garlic and B vitamins, but this solution seems to be dependent on individual body chemistry.

 

[ruffdog]

The tick tube thing might work for me. Ill just stick them where mice congregate like the sheds and stacks of firewood.

 

[bikerdib]

I had a tick bite develop the tell tale bullseye a few years ago so had to go through the treatment.

Last Saturday I was using my backhoe to pull some junk from between the brush under a large tree on an overgrown 5.5 acres I recently purchased. I would reach in and drag the stuff into a pile so I could grab it with my grapple and haul to a big pile I was making getting ready to bring in a dumpster. I noticed something buzz by my head but didn't think anything of it. Next thing I know I'm being swarmed by Bald Faced Hornets aka White Faced Hornets. Since I had the riggers down, the boom and dipper stretched all the way out and the FEL down, I couldn't try to drive away. I was starting to get quite a few stings so I jumped off the tractor getting ready to run. Luckily it dawned on me to shut down the tractor knowing it would not be accessable the rest of the day. I ran about 100 yards out into a clearing knocking the stinging devils off as I went. I had hoped they would eventually give up and I'm sure some did but I still had to use my hat to keep swatting at them and knocking off the ones that were stinging. This went on for a couple of minutes but seemed like 30 minutes. Finally most left, just one or two would hit me every 30 seconds or so as I sat in some shade. After a few more minutes it was over.

I got in my truck and left. I've been attacked by bumble bees and paper wasps before so I knew I am not alergic to the venom. I just paid close attention to how I felt for the next 6 or 7 hours. It was a painful night though.

 

[ruffdog]

Yep, them bald faced bas**rds are nasty ones to spar with.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I've been attacked by bumble bees and paper wasps before so I knew I am not alergic to the venom.

A severe bee-sting allergy can develop at any time. Repeated exposures make it more likely. The next time you're stung could be it. Happened to my brother. Had gotten stung a few times over the years with no effects; then boom, one sting and he couldn't breathe.

With that many bees/wasps around, you might think about asking your doc to prescribe an Epi-pen for you to keep around the house.

Bee safe!

 

[Jstpssng]

A severe bee-sting allergy can develop at any time. Repeated exposures make it more likely. The next time you're stung could be it. Happened to my brother. Had gotten stung a few times over the years with no effects; then boom, one sting and he couldn't breathe.

With that many bees/wasps around, you might think about asking your doc to prescribe an Epi-pen for you to keep around the house.

Bee safe!

Epipens are pricey, have a short expiration date and require special care, i.e., not too hot or cold, so you can't just store it in the glove compartment or on your tractor. Benadryl is a non prescription, less effective alternative, especially if you haven't shown signs of allergies.
If someone you are with has an allergic reaction and you allow them to use your pen you can be held responsible.