We had an enormous tick problem last year! With my house practically covered in overgrown plants, shrubs and trees we were innundated with these horrid things.
It got so they were getting into the house and we'd find them everywhere!!! It made the us all nutz plus we have a long haired Shih Tzu and the poor thing had to be shaved!
I would pick them off of the kids daily and several times a day. What can I do to get rid of them if it happens again this spring. I did get rid of a lot of the brush,etc around the house.
I NEED to be prepared because it was just MISERABLE, and my eldest son has phobias/anxiety/sensory issues so he was beside himself until fall. He wouldn't go outside all summer.
* * * * Plants: 458 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 69.139.4.81
posted
Hi Barb, Sounds awful. I feel for you and your family. I did some searching on the internet and found this site from Ohio State University. They give recommendations for several pesticides, but I don't use those types of chemicals. Still, you may find the information useful.
Planet Natural has several environmentally friendly alternatives. I think some pruning along with clearing away undergrowth and something like the diatomaceous earth could be a good tactic. There is also "Rotenone & Pyrethrin Concentrate" listed at the bottom of the page that you might want to consider. Of course these things can often be purchased locally as well.
Hope this helps you to more enjoy your outdoor space this year.
Newt
* * * * When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. Plants: 271 | From: Maryland zone 7 | Registered: Sep 2002
| Seeded: 68.55.145.196
Phil and Laura
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posted
Hi Barb, I know that in Arkansas they have a terrible tick problem, the folks down there use cedar bark shavings for walkways, pet beds/doghouses etc. ticks are a problem here, but only in the woods, try to find something non-chemical first, no disrespect to the folks that use chemicals
Seeded: 170.215.46.95
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
barb, was thinking about what you said about the tick problem. i know that you don't want to hear about planting another tree, but... was researching one of the tree/shrubs that grows around here, and appearantly it repels fleas and ticks. i do know that my dogs (and kids) haven't had any ticks this past year except one. the name of the tree/shrub is wax myrtle. i'd look into it, can't hurt and it is a smallish tree/largish shrub.
Seeded: 12.77.201.41
I too, prefer a natural method...I don't want to spray harmful chemicals because I have little ones, plus I want to be able to garden veggies..and any chemicals would be a no-no.
I am really hoping to be able to go out and about in the garden this year without the certain knowledge that I'm going to have passengers on my family!
* * * * Plants: 458 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 69.139.4.81
quote:Originally posted by Phil and Laura: Hi Barb, I know that in Arkansas they have a terrible tick problem, the folks down there use cedar bark shavings for walkways, pet beds/doghouses etc. ticks are a problem here, but only in the woods, try to find something non-chemical first, no disrespect to the folks that use chemicals
Thanks for the cedar bark shavings...maybe I can do a cedar mulch?
Our property looked MUCH like a forest...but we have removed all of the overgrown brush, so maybe we'll be ok. My neighbors did not seem to have nearly the tick infestation that we did. It was horrible.
I will try all natural methods first, since I do have little ones and want to do some veggies and maybe put in a berry bush.
Barb H
* * * * Plants: 458 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 69.139.4.81
posted
Hi Barb, You're very welcome. Hope you can get them under control. I like the suggestion of the cedar mulch too.
Good luck, Newt
* * * * When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. Plants: 271 | From: Maryland zone 7 | Registered: Sep 2002
| Seeded: 68.55.145.196
posted
This is from ARS "A patented device developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists to protect white-tailed deer from blacklegged ticks is now being sold commercially.
The American Lyme Disease Foundation, Somers, N.Y., has been licensed to produce the device, called the "4-Poster" Deer Treatment Bait Station, developed by ARS scientists in Kerrville, Texas. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.
The device was studied for five years, to see if it would control ticks plaguing white-tailed deer in the Northeast. Blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, and the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, transmit the bacterial agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, that causes human Lyme disease. Each year, more than 10,000 human cases of Lyme disease are reported in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The simple device consists of a bin that's filled with whole-kernel corn. Paint rollers on the four corners of the bin are loaded with a special formulation of permethrin that Y-Tex Corporation, in Cody, Wyo., registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for exclusive application to deer by the "4-poster." As a deer feeds on the corn in the bin, the animal's head and neck rub against the permethrin-laden rollers, which gives sufficient coverage to protect the entire animal.
The 4-poster device offers a viable tick-control alternative to spraying insecticides into the environment that might be toxic to nontarget species. Studies by ARS and cooperators have shown that after two to three years, use of the 4-poster technology will control from 92 to 98 percent of the free-living tick population around the devices. Depending on the size of the herd, each device will treat deer on approximately 40 to 50 acres.
Lyme disease occurs mainly in suburban areas where there's an overabundance of deer. The test sites for the device were in areas where some of the highest incidences of Lyme disease in the United States were found when the project started in 1997. "
Also have you looked into beneficial nematodes? They are starting show results with tick control.
Chirps!!
Chrips!!
* * * * The Buglady Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, www.bugladyconsulting.com Educating the world... one bug at a time Plants: 435 | From: PA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 205.188.208.108
quote:Originally posted by Jiffymouse: barb, was thinking about what you said about the tick problem. i know that you don't want to hear about planting another tree, but... was researching one of the tree/shrubs that grows around here, and appearantly it repels fleas and ticks. i do know that my dogs (and kids) haven't had any ticks this past year except one. the name of the tree/shrub is wax myrtle. i'd look into it, can't hurt and it is a smallish tree/largish shrub.
Jiffy,
I'm gonna look up wax myrtle to see what it looks like. I'm pretty desperate, so if I can fit it in, I will!!! Thanks!!!!
* * * * Plants: 458 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 69.139.4.81
posted
I'll have to check with local nursery and see if they sell it, or would think it could survive.
I am NOT going through another spring/summer like the last one! You get to where you don't even want to be gardening!
* * * * Plants: 458 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 69.139.4.81
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
barb, did yo say you were in the pittsburgh area? my in-laws are in the gettysburg/harrisburg area. i can ask what they use to keep them down.
Seeded: 168.11.125.2
I live in the Philly 'burbs....called Havertown. Not too far from the city...but far enough!
* * * * Plants: 458 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 69.139.4.81
Phil and Laura
guest
posted
Another thing you can try Barb, EAT TONS OF GARLIC!! This will keep them and mosquito's from biting you, also keeps away those annoying neighbors
Seeded: 170.215.46.54
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
actually barb, phil is close to the mark. i know that if you grow garlic, that helps too. it is one of those natural flea/fly/tick repellents! so plant some wild garlic, it can always be mowed over if necessary!
Seeded: 12.77.201.87
posted
Alliums are alot of fun, come in several different sizes and colors.
One thing to remember though, they will reseed prolifically if you let the flower head go to seed. #1. Does give the garden some nice look after it's dead, but there will be a ba~zillion seeds, .....A. That in the end will deplete the strength and size of the bulb.... you will get some more flowers in the coming years, but each time the flower will get smaller and smaller. .....B. The little seedlings will look like grass, so you have to remember that you let the plant go to seed and that you shouldn't pull them up the following year if you want to save them as new plants. *one or two good fists full of what looks like grass will tell you, you made a mistake in pulling them, that's how I learned!!!
Weezie
P.S. There's short ones that are pink and white and Tall ones that are deep purples, so much fun. I love them and very very carefree, no work other than the inital planting of them.
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
I would like to grow these too, but am a little leary because of all the onion grass we have in the lawns here - I wanted to try them to ward off deer, but in thinking about it, they are so used to the smell of the onion grass after it's been mowed, I don't think planting alliums will do the trick, do you?
* * * * Lynne's knitting journal "I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???" Plants: 17066 | From: Rockland County, NY | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 67.84.51.43
posted
Alliums sound great! They have great structure and height, good color and if they get rid of the ticks....it will be a FANTASTIC spring/summer!! It was so bad last spring that my poor son was jumping out of his skin with just the mention of ticks! They were EVERYWHERE!
* * * * Plants: 458 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 69.139.4.81
posted
I want to say that I also had tick problems here in Georgia. I have already seen and pulled some off me this year. I've read everyone ideas. I think I will try some of the plants.
Plants: 9 | From: Newborn, Georgia | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 141.129.1.98
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plus we have a long haired Shih Tzu and the poor thing had to be shaved!
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It will be a garlic fortress!!!!! Eureka! Or is it YOU REEK-A?!?!
Printer-friendly view of this garden