Ticks, and more ticks
 ). I figured that this flea/and tick season would suck (literally) due to our warm winter here in the Chicago area, and it is exceeding my low expectations.I spotted my first tick on Oscar about two weeks ago, and it's been non-stop since. (Luckily, I started Oscar on Frontline THREE weeks ago, so I was slightly ahead of the game.) Oscar is only allowed on mown grass and manicured lawns, so the fact that we are picking up ticks so early and so often is not a good sign. No fleas to report. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Laurie and Oscar, the Tick Magnet |
|
|
| Same here in the Lou (St. Louis). I picked up a tick while in Memphis a couple weeks ago, and found one crawling on Millie's nose Saturday. She has been on Sentinel year-round, so I'm not sure why. She had been just down swimming in our lake. Can ticks be in the water? Ick, I HATE ticks! |
Our winter has been so mild, I spotted my first tick on Benson almost a month ago. (Don't worry, Mark, she picked it up in one of the farm fields here  ) She is on Frontline, but my understanding is that is an insecticide, not a repellant. I've mixed up an essential oil spray that we're using as a repellant in conjunction with the Frontline. We spray it lightly over her once a day, usually just before her morning outing, and I haven't found any new fleas or ticks on her since.Here's what we're using: 1 cup distilled water 5 drops lavender essential oil 3 drops rose geranium essential oil 2 drops cedar essential oil Put all in a spray bottle and shake very well before each use. Spray lightly over body and legs. To apply to face, spray onto your hands and pet lavishly.  Obviously, avoid spraying into their eyes.("Lightly" by my definition means that, within half an hour or so, I only smell the "perfume" if I bury my face in Benson's fur and sniff. If I smell it every time she strolls by during the day, we've put too much on.) And my disclaimer: I am NOT a vet or a practicing herbalist. If your furbaby has allergies, or you are concerned about any possible interaction between this and any medications they are on, check with your vet before using this. |
| Thanks for the tip, Diane. I may try something like this on Oscar, after checking everything out thoroughly to make sure there won't be any interactions with his meds. Frontline is an insecticide/pesticide. The active ingredients get absorbed into the dog's skin and fur, so the tick can still find the dog, but once it comes in contact with the toxins from the insecticide, the tick eventually dies off. Unfortunately, this requires that the tick have sustained contact, which sometimes means that the tick has time to attach before getting the required dose of "cootie killers". More often than not, I find the ticks on Oscar just lying in his fur, dazed and confused. This morning, however, one was attached to the top of his head - UGHHHHHHHH  !!!! Diane, I wonder if your mixture successfully interferes with a tick's ability to sense carbon dioxide, which is how they find their unsuspecting victim.  I have been hearing about a natural tick repellent using concentrated cedar oil, to be used instead of something like Frontline. After reading some reviews, it doesn't sound very promising as a complete substitute. But as an adjunct to Frontline - this sounds like a great idea. Laurie and Oscar |
Forgot to mention, ticks aren't in the water, but they love to hang out in the tall grass near a water source. I do not walk Oscar near any of the ponds in our area, because of ticks, and the fields of goose droppings.  Laurie and Oscar |
| Ticks move to "high ground"....grasses and such so as to be able to latch onto passing animals. Stick to recently mown, short grasses and away from taller grasse and shrubs, wood piles, etc. Don't forget to check between the toes when going over your dog after a walk. |
| where do you get your essential oils from???? |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Forgot to mention, ticks aren't in the water, but they love to hang out in the tall grass near a water source. I do not walk Oscar near any of the ponds in our area, because of ticks, and the fields of goose droppings. Laurie and Oscar Thanks Laurie...we live in a wetlands area and our neighborhood walking paths go straight through them  I found one on my head a few weeks ago. I found one on Tay's fur and a dead one has been found on the bathroom floor. Melissa found one on his face while walking and disposed of it. Izzie is recently shaved short....so no real tick hiding spots. Tay will be shaved shorter after his neuter in a couple weeks. I think I have all those eo's...so some spray may be on the chore list for tonight. FYI...Mountain Rose Herbs is a good online source for essential oils. Otherwise I buy mine at health food stores. |
sheepiegail wrote: where do you get your essential oils from???? Mostly from health food stores. If I order online, I've used Starwest Botanicals and Sunrose Aromatics. I haven't ordered from Mountain Rose Herbs, but I've heard good things about them. Oh, and in case you get overwhelmed by the odor of the pure oil while you're mixing, just keep a handful of coffee beans nearby and take a sniff of that to clear your nose/head. I gave a workshop on oil-blending once, and the odor in the room was intense. The coffee beans got passed around a lot that afternoon! |
Smelling coffee between wines during wine tasting is good too  |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|