Ticks! (Greenville: coop, landscaping, inspector)

[CoffeeAddict]

I find this utterly disgusting. I pulled another one off the dog today, big, engorged green one. The others before were black. (what kind are they?)

I'm itching all the time now, which is probably just my mind playing tricks on me. I hope.

I hate ticks!

[YellowHorse]

If you don't want to use pesticides, get a few hens.
My father in law had a really horrible infestation, year after year, and his two dogs were costantly covered in them during the bad time of year, despite pulling them off all the time.

After he got about a dozen chickens (he lives on 3/4 of an acre), the problem nearly disapeared. After he got the chickens we would rarely see them, even on the dogs.

Most towns will let you keep hens, just check with your local ordinance on how many. Roosters tend to be a no-no though, so if you get chicks, make sure you get the "pullets" (female chickens), straight run means mixed hens and cocks.

They are fun to watch and you can collect their eggs, just be sure to fence off any garden or plantings you don't want eaten.

[CoffeeAddict]

Really? I've always wanted chickens! I'm not sure if I'd be allowed to keep them though. I'm not on rual property, I'm only about five minutes from downtown Greenville. I do have a big enough yard for them though, and my neighbor behind me has a Rooster (I've never seen there house though, just heard him crowing, so I don't know their set up, they could have a full fledged farm for all I know)

Do I just check with the township offices to see if I'm allowed? Do I have to worry about the chickens becoming infested with ticks?

[Frankie117]

Originally Posted by CoffeeAddict

I find this utterly disgusting. I pulled another one off the dog today, big, engorged green one. The others before were black. (what kind are they?)

I'm itching all the time now, which is probably just my mind playing tricks on me. I hope.

I hate ticks!

Please tell me you killed the engorged green one? If you didn't you will have 500 little ticks running about (the smaller the harder they are to get rid of).

[CoffeeAddict]

I squashed it with the tweezers and then put a big heavy piece of lumber on it. I'm pretty sure it's dead.

[guestposter24]

Oh shoot I put those two ticks I found on me down the sink but they may have been dead already since they came right off and didn't move. I don't know because I haven't fooled with ticks for a while.

[christopherinsc26]

rubbing alcohol will also kill them I have not seen any so far this year nor did I see any of them last year. But I do remember when we lived in this one house in moonville we had tons of ticks but we had sand out front so that maybe why. I just make sure I keep a close eye on my dog she sleeps with me so I esp don't want any bugs sleeping along with us lol

[webbster]

Everyone should look out for the small black legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis): called deer ticks in CT. They carry Lyme, however, the other ones to look out for down south are:

Lone star tick: carries Lyme like disease, or "Master's disease", as well as Ehrlichia, as bacteria which causes HGE (human granulocytic ehrilichiosis)

American dog tick:vector for Rocky Mtn. spotted fever, tularemia, and tick paralysis. Suspected vector for Ehrlichiosis.

Tick borne disease are hard to diagnose, as well as treat. If you want more information, I recommend reading "Everything you need to know about Lyme disease and other tick borne disorders" written by Vanderhoof-Forschner.

Good luck. And I love the idea of chickens! Eat the little buggers!

[jmarquise]

there are several types of ticks. most common is the wood tick (sometimes called the dog tick). these are big and brownish with a white area on their back. deer ticks are reddish and much smaller. these are the ones that you need to look out for. I had lyme disease a few years back and it isn't too fun. chiggers are much worse than ticks!!!

as for prevention, AVON makes a product called skin so soft bath oil. not sure why it works, but ticks HATE it! as do biting flies, and mosquitoes. it doesn't smell as bad as most insect repellent but it does have a strong odor.

[webbster]

Avon's "Expedition" bug spray is the best, better that SSS. and the tick with the white spot is the lone star tick---look out! It's not just the deer tick that's dangerous!