We have been having some problematic encounters with ticks at Mrs. A’s farm. I could tell you some pretty funny stories about reactions, but I don’t think my children would appreciate it. I will tell you that most of us get itchy just talking about ticks or bugs, as I scratch my neck mid-type.
As you all know, we try really hard to stay away from chemical insecticides, the very reason we are organic farmers. Therefore to combat the ticks, fleas and insect bites we have been using Purification, Peppermint, Lavender and Cedarwood. The ticks just tend to fall off, unless we happen upon a stubborn one because the ticks supposedly breath through their skin and the hinders their breathing when dropped on them.
Purification contains Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) , which is good for a variety of things including: rashes, insect bites, nail fungus, dermatitis, ringworm, thrush, head lice, sore throats, boils, congestion, arthritis, cold sores, fatigue, useful for a wide spectrum of infections. It has high germicidal value. Scent: Sharp, spicy, warm with medicinal tones.
When I came across this comic, I couldn’t help but laugh. If you only knew! 
Copyright © Mark David. All rights reserved
That DID make me laugh! Those ticks latch on so quickly. They’re scary!
Omg, that is sooo funny!
That is funny.
I hate ticks and they are everywhere again this year. The downfalls of living out around a lot of trees.
Thanks for this – I’ve been looking for something to combat fleas and ticks for my dogs. I hate putting toxins on them just in case, especially with my daughter loving all over them and getting the toxins on her.
That is truly funny. Love the cartoon.
Remove a tick in less than 1 (one) minute.
It’s now June of 2011 and it seems the ticks are plentiful this year in Ulster County New York. Whether it is because of the bountiful snowfall we had, providing plenty of moisture as it slowly melted, or the spring rains that are shortening our weeks to 4 days instead of 7, the tick population must be exploding. We have heard more reports of ticks on people and animals this year than we have in past years for an entire season.
Did you know that ticks do not really have “a season”? Ticks can be active at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit even if it is in the middle of December.
Do you have your “Tick Twister Pro”?
Although the name can throw you off a bit the “Tick Twister Pro” does not twist anything. And it most certainly DOES NOT squeeze like tweezers. When used in the correct way the “Tick Twister Pro”, distributed by Twist It Out of Port Ewen, NY, SPINs the entire tick. This spinning action stops the ticks anchoring mechanism, reverse barbs like that on a fish hook, from being able to hold the tick in place any longer. We have been using the Tick Twister and now the Tick Twister Pro since 2006 and have not had a “head” left in the skin, not even once. The ticks are also quite alive when removed making it very easy to have on hand when you decide if it needs to be tested for any diseases. SOME veterinarians will send ticks for testing at no cost to you. DO NOT put the tick between 2 pieces of scotch tape; instead put it in an empty pill bottle or the like. Anything you are not going to want to keep or reuse at some other time.
In 2007 we went to Maryland and Assateague Island. We ended up with ticks all over our socks, sneakers, pants, legs and arms. Upon returning home we had our vet test one of the ticks, which we had kept in a tightly sealed, empty aspirin bottle. The lab called his office to find out why he, our vet, was sending a Lone Star tick to them from New York State. Travel trailers and camping equipment are great ways for ticks to move about and there were a lot of people camping, with and without pets, in Maryland when we went.
Obviously we, at Twist It Out, do NOT recommend using tweezers to remove a tick.
Why? Squeezing can cause the tick to move fluids from itself and into you (or your pet). This “regurgitation” is the substance which may contain the infectious diseases.
We do not care how good a pair of tweezers claims to be or how fine the points are (finer is going to be weaker) TWEEZERS SQUEEZE. It isn’t any ones fault; it is just the nature of the way the tool was designed. So, please, don’t use tweezers that squeeze the tick when you are trying to get one off yourselves or your animals.
ANY swelling and redness, the dreaded “bulls eye” rash or flu like symptoms would warrant a visit to your own doctor.
Be well and be safe everyone.
Keep your animal loved ones safe too.