First tick of the season

[k0ua]

The wife went out today and pulled weeds in the south flowerbed. Tonight I pulled the first tick of the season off of her back.

Branson Missouri, March 6th 2020.

 

[caver]

I was just telling my rural property neighbor the other day the ticks will be out any day. I've noticed early spring is the worst in the Ozarks of Missouri. I'm not crazy about pesticides but in the past have covered the area I tend to be around the most with Bifenthrin.

 

[Alan W.]

Pulled one off our dog this week. It was already swelling up with blood.
She got her monthly treatment early this year.
Co worker of my wife found one on himself two weeks ago.
I would love to spray for them but my son has bees in the backyard.

 

[TnAndy]

Our dogs have been coming in with them all winter. Not big fat blood filled ones, but little tiny ones. Winter has just been to mild.

 

[Alien]

Guinea fowl are great for reducing tick numbers. We have had one tick on a dog in 16 years since we got the guinea fowl.

 

[Diggin It]

Guinea fowl are great for reducing tick numbers. We have had one tick on a dog in 16 years since we got the guinea fowl.

Buggers are noisy though.

What else do you have to do for them? Feed? Water? Shelter? Protection from predator birds?

 

[oosik]

Still too cold here. But it won't be long. The dog got his spring haircut yesterday. Now I'll start using Frontline Plus and will be able to see any on him.

 

[Thomas]

About month we'll be swing at blackflies and checking for ticks...darn things.

 

[4get gto]

We have a few outside cats and they got ticks off and on all winter long here in eastern Pa. Never really went away.

 

[RalphVa]

The wife went out today and pulled weeds in the south flowerbed. Tonight I pulled the first tick of the season off of her back.

Branson Missouri, March 6th 2020.

About 3 weeks ago, a master gardener I was working with on the helpdesk said the ticks were out here in Va. Tell the wife to garden naked: fewer ticks. They like dark places to hide.

There's a (true story) legend about a guy whose wife was a naked gardener. She went out to garden while he stayed in his basement wood shop. Said he could tell when she'd come back inside. The cars going by were now going faster.

Ralph