Have you or anyone you know experienced a tick first hand?
A few weeks ago I was outside eating my lunch on a curb beside some green space and trees...15 minutes later I returned inside only to find a tick on my arm. After I calmed down, I caught it and flushed it down the office toilet. Good thing it didn't latch on yet!
I also have a dog, so I've been experiencing ticks for years. When my dog was younger (she's now 12), she never had any ticks; however over the past 4+ years, we've found more and more of them each year. I think the creepiest part is when you find them on yourself as well. They will jump off the dog onto you - definitely unsettling if you're afraid of bugs.
People often wonder why there are more of them around. I think it's due to several things:
- climate change
- loss of natural predators due to use of pesticides, herbicides, etc...please stop using all those lawn care weed & garden sprays!! Even all the government aerial spraying doesn't help!
- suburban development - we're building closer and closer to nature and taking over the landscape
If you're wondering what the big deal is...ticks spread Lyme disease and other illnesses to people and pets. It's not something to be taken lightly!
If you're interested, I've got some great tips on how to remove a tick as well as natural repellant that actually works!
Stay safe!
Christine
