Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick
No, this is not about the clock. But it is now time to be on the lookout for TICKS.
The mild winter coupled with the very early warm weather in March is providing us with a bumper crop of Ticks and they have now become quite active, and very commonly encountered. Ticks wait for host animals from the tips of grasses and shrubs (not from trees). When brushed by a moving animal or person, they quickly let go of the vegetation and climb onto the host. Ticks can only crawl; they cannot fly or jump. Ticks found on the scalp have usually crawled there from lower parts of the body. Some species of ticks will crawl several feet toward a host.
Make sure the property around your home is unattractive to ticks. Because ticks are sensitive to dry conditions and do not thrive in short vegetation, they are seldom a problem in well-maintained lawns. Keep your grass mowed and keep weeds cut. Clean up items that attract rodents which can carry ticks, such as spilled birdseed, and hiding places like old wood piles. If ticks are present in vegetation along the edge of the property, insecticides labeled for control of ticks can be applied to small areas of high weeds that cannot be mowed. Often, one or two applications per season will be adequate to control ticks in these areas. We carry several insecticides that are labelled for control of Ticks, including HiYield BugBlaster containing Bifenthrin in a Ready-To-Spray applicator, and Sevin containing Carbaryl.
We suggest that you inspect your children after they have been outdoors, especially if they have been in an area that is not well maintained (tall grass, low shrubby growth, etc.). And remember that your pets, expecially those allowed to "roam" in wooded areas, are very likely to encounter ticks, so it is wise to inspect them for Ticks as well.
Here is a link to the Illinois Dept of Health's webpage with info on how to remove Ticks, as well as IF and WHEN you should consider contacting a physician after a Tick bite: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pccommonticks.htm Be smart and play it safe by being aware that Ticks are now quite active, so if you feel something crawling on you..........
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 | Bifenthrin in the Ready-to- Spray bottle. Just connect to your hose and follow directions. |
 | Apply by mixing in a pressure sprayer according to directions. |
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