(BBN Submission) "No Tip Toeing Through The Tulips."
You think to yourself, "what a beautiful day!" And you head out for a beautifully serene walk on the nearest nature trail. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and you just can't help, but to smile. You begin to sort of glow with delight as the stressors of daily adult routine sort of just diminish, but that's until you take note that there's a little hitchhiker enjoying your stride! Creepy little bugger... it's not really a spider, certainly no beetle that you've ever encountered. It sort of looks like a little crab crawling up your pant leg without invitation! You try to flick it off, but it holds with dear might! So you try to pinch it between your fingertips, but is seemingly impossible to smush! What is this little foreign invader?
Fortunately, you're not in grave danger at the moment, but this little creepy crawly is certainly no friend worth sharing your serene walk. You found yourself a tick. We've all heard of them, nobody likes them, and it's important that you keep yourself protected from them.
Ticks are a pesky part of nature and commonly found in wooded and grassy areas. And these little survivors will stick around anytime the temperature is above freezing. Most Michiganders will agree that ticks naturally have their own season which is between the months of April - September. And can also agree that this has proven to be quite an appalling year for ticks in Michigan. There are more than 20 different species of ticks, but the five most common species in Michigan are as followed: The American Dog Tick (Wood Tick), The Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick), The Lone Star Tick, The Woodchuck Tick (Groundhog Tick), and The Brown Dog Tick (Kennel Tick). No matter how scientific we get into naming them.... they're all after the very same thing.... your blood and the blood of your pets! But don't go running away from such a creepy article! Rather allow me to share some great tips on how to prevent these little vermin and what to do just in case your defenses are down and you find that one has turned you into its new best friend and dinner.
You can still go out and enjoy your beautiful serene walk in the woods or tackle that adventurous hike, but keep some things in mind...
Use an insect repellent containing no more than 30 percent DEET. (You don't need to bathe in it, but rather start spraying like it's that brand new cologne for your first date in high school!) It's also a good idea to spray your clothing with a repellent containing an ingredient called permethrin. And consider it the newest fad in hiking fashion by tucking your pants into your socks! Pull em' up to keep em' out!
But what if you do discover that one has gotten through your defenses and has turned you into a little snack? Do not panic! And there's no need to high tail it to the nearest emergency room. Just find yourself a good pair of tweezers and grab the little bugger as close to its head (obviously, that's the part burrowing it's way in) and gently yet firmly begin pulling his pesky butt out of what he thinks is his new home and next meal. It's important to make sure you got his "not so bright" head removed. Now, go on to make sure he "meets his maker!" Don't give him a second chance for his next course! Believe me, we've all heard some crazy ways to go on with removing these little turds but applying petroleum jelly, dish soap, and even a smoldering hot ember are NOT efficiently safe ways to give them an eviction! Stick with the tweezer method. And it's common knowledge first aid to wash the area with an antiseptic soap and warm water. Feel free to add a little good ol' fashion boo boo cream as well.
By all means enjoy all the wooded acres that Michigan has to offer. Pack that picnic, explore a new area, but be smart about pesky little hitch hikers that can leave you feeling actually quite ill if not removed. (Feelings of fatigue, fever, rash, and body aches after you've encountered a tick bite is grounds for checking up with your Healthcare provider.)
Once you've ventured home or have completed a day's worth of yard work, it's a great idea to check yourself for ticks. They are all to often found on areas of the body that include crevices like armpits, behind the ears and knees, and just love to burrow themselves in hair! So toss that outfit into a hot dryer while you enjoy a nice shower. Have a family member or loved one sneak a peek at what God gave ya to ensure you haven't missed one will help too! The best way to beat this growing tick population is to be prepared, use common sense when seeking that outdoor adventure, and know your body!
Enjoy the outdoors! Find peace and serenity with each step you take on that new trail, pop a squat for that perfectly packed picnic, and like Fiddo.... roll around on the fresh green grass!
Just keep your eyes open, socks pulled up, and defenses strong against ticks this season!
Fortunately, you're not in grave danger at the moment, but this little creepy crawly is certainly no friend worth sharing your serene walk. You found yourself a tick. We've all heard of them, nobody likes them, and it's important that you keep yourself protected from them.
Ticks are a pesky part of nature and commonly found in wooded and grassy areas. And these little survivors will stick around anytime the temperature is above freezing. Most Michiganders will agree that ticks naturally have their own season which is between the months of April - September. And can also agree that this has proven to be quite an appalling year for ticks in Michigan. There are more than 20 different species of ticks, but the five most common species in Michigan are as followed: The American Dog Tick (Wood Tick), The Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick), The Lone Star Tick, The Woodchuck Tick (Groundhog Tick), and The Brown Dog Tick (Kennel Tick). No matter how scientific we get into naming them.... they're all after the very same thing.... your blood and the blood of your pets! But don't go running away from such a creepy article! Rather allow me to share some great tips on how to prevent these little vermin and what to do just in case your defenses are down and you find that one has turned you into its new best friend and dinner.
You can still go out and enjoy your beautiful serene walk in the woods or tackle that adventurous hike, but keep some things in mind...
Use an insect repellent containing no more than 30 percent DEET. (You don't need to bathe in it, but rather start spraying like it's that brand new cologne for your first date in high school!) It's also a good idea to spray your clothing with a repellent containing an ingredient called permethrin. And consider it the newest fad in hiking fashion by tucking your pants into your socks! Pull em' up to keep em' out!
But what if you do discover that one has gotten through your defenses and has turned you into a little snack? Do not panic! And there's no need to high tail it to the nearest emergency room. Just find yourself a good pair of tweezers and grab the little bugger as close to its head (obviously, that's the part burrowing it's way in) and gently yet firmly begin pulling his pesky butt out of what he thinks is his new home and next meal. It's important to make sure you got his "not so bright" head removed. Now, go on to make sure he "meets his maker!" Don't give him a second chance for his next course! Believe me, we've all heard some crazy ways to go on with removing these little turds but applying petroleum jelly, dish soap, and even a smoldering hot ember are NOT efficiently safe ways to give them an eviction! Stick with the tweezer method. And it's common knowledge first aid to wash the area with an antiseptic soap and warm water. Feel free to add a little good ol' fashion boo boo cream as well.
By all means enjoy all the wooded acres that Michigan has to offer. Pack that picnic, explore a new area, but be smart about pesky little hitch hikers that can leave you feeling actually quite ill if not removed. (Feelings of fatigue, fever, rash, and body aches after you've encountered a tick bite is grounds for checking up with your Healthcare provider.)
Once you've ventured home or have completed a day's worth of yard work, it's a great idea to check yourself for ticks. They are all to often found on areas of the body that include crevices like armpits, behind the ears and knees, and just love to burrow themselves in hair! So toss that outfit into a hot dryer while you enjoy a nice shower. Have a family member or loved one sneak a peek at what God gave ya to ensure you haven't missed one will help too! The best way to beat this growing tick population is to be prepared, use common sense when seeking that outdoor adventure, and know your body!
Enjoy the outdoors! Find peace and serenity with each step you take on that new trail, pop a squat for that perfectly packed picnic, and like Fiddo.... roll around on the fresh green grass!
Just keep your eyes open, socks pulled up, and defenses strong against ticks this season!
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