New(?) Tick Concern

Jstpssng · Aug 8, 2014

oldpilgrim said:
around here we have lots of cases of Lyme Disease, caused by little tiny deer ticks. Sometimes it's extremely difficult to diagnose the infections as different people react differently and symptoms can mimmick dozens of other illnesses.

I got infected twice, my mother nearly died with an illness they couldn't diagnose, my 6 yo granddaughter got it, it's everywhere.

We don't need another tick issue.

Yet they told me that my dog was infected with Lymes, before I got 10 miles down the road from my vet. Go figure...

dave1949 · Aug 8, 2014

One of our dogs is getting the month-long treatment for Rocky Mtn. spotted fever now. That can be carried by common dog ticks, and they are all over the eastern half of the country from the Front Range to the Atlantic.

These tick issues just keep building it seems.

riptides · Aug 8, 2014

Yeah, I tried numerous treatments around our house, sitting in the middle of a pasture, under a lot of great big trees. I still find ticks, and most unfortunate, my eldest is battling this alpha-gal blood issue. We had to go to an infectious disease specialist to finally diagnose her issue. The problem is identification of the protein within the chemistry of the blood. Her allergist recommended advance tests to find the cause. I think as more people become aware of the disease, it will be easier to diagnose. We have removed hoofed animals from her diet altogether.

As far as the ticks go, We find spraying ourselves, tick and flea control for the pets, and short grass around the house works well.

texasjohn · Aug 8, 2014

Oh, yes, they eat ticks, cotton boll weevils, chiggers and likely other critters you might not be fond of.

They also go after spiders, large grasshoppers, box turtles, bunnies in their nests, eggs hatching, new born calves eyes (blind). If it doesn't move fast enough, they get it and eat it...dead or alive. A new omnivore on the loose. :thumbdown:

Fire Ants - Fort Smith National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
Diet
The imported fire ant will not only forage for food, such as small insects dead animals, and sweet materials such as plant secretions but will kill insects and small animals to feed.

dave1949 said:
Do tell? I didn't realize fire ants had any, even if somewhat dubious, redeeming qualities.

John, I really think it would be better for all concerned if we sent our ticks down your way. :laughing: