Bugs, Ticks, Ants, OH MY!
Try as you might, these bugs are “out to get you” and may cause a sudden reduction in the enjoyment of being outside!
Just yesterday, I had an unfortunate event happen. I was in the shower and halfway through I thought I washed off a butt nugget, but in reality, it was a tick!
Damn Skinny why you have to gross me out this early in the reading?!
Well, that’s where this blog is headed, to the nether regions and ticks!
Just when you thought it was safe to catch up on one of my readings, I throw a curve ball at you!
Thankfully, spring is here again, and we can all welcome the bugs and ticks into our world of loving the Great Outdoors!
When I was taking a shower (no mental images, please), the darndest thing happened. I was soaping up and something hit the shower floor. It was a tick, not just a tick, but a big one at that. How did this happen? Generally, I can feel a nymph crawling up from anywhere and usually find them before they have a chance to “lock on”. This was not one of those times. And that brings me to this conversation about ticks, and the wonderful world of bugs!
As we get older (unfortunately), our sense of feeling starts to dwindle, so we must check for ticks and bugs more thoroughly (add the aid of a “friend” if needed, there is a song about this, “Ticks” by Brad Paisley). That leads me to this week’s blog, bugs and getting rid of them. Merely a few minutes ago, I was using a crank spreader to throw down some “seven granules” I get from the Low’s (spelled wrong, I know) big box store (not a fan of this store, but it has stuff). As I was choking through the fog of spreading these granules, I remembered how effective they are and thought I would let you in on a secret I have. For the last 5 years I have been hitting the yard in the spring, and mid-summer with these granules right before a rainfall (since the instructions say to water the lawn to activate them, and I’m not one to use excess water if I don’t have to). This has been quite effective for lessening the bug population in our yard and thus making it more enjoyable to go out in the evening. I’m not one for killing unnecessarily, but this is an exception!
After the granules have been activated and have soaked into the soil, they kill off most bugs, worms and larvae. This in turn makes it hard for moles to feed (making them go to the neighbor’s yard). There are also less ticks and biting bugs, as well as ants, to come into your home and set up shop!
There is a major problem with spreading these granules, it has to do with sweat and tears. Any time the dust from spreading these comes in contact with you, or pets, it mixes with moisture (sweat and any mucus membranes) then it begins to burn. My suggestion to you is, wear a mask (I know, not again!), protective glasses, and take a shower soon after spreading them don’t forget to wash off your pet (if you can’t keep them out of the area you just covered for at least three days after the rain). After a nice steady rainfall (no storms, it will wash it away) the granules should dissipate enough to allow your furry friend back into that part of the yard (do your yard in halves so your pet can roam the other half while the first side is being treated). Now, wait until the next rainfall to do the remaining yard to have a three-month coverage consisting of fewer bugs and increasing your enjoyment of being outdoors most evenings (less swatting at gnats and mosquitos at the least).
When out on the trail or in the yard toward evening, I also suggest spritzing on some SSS (Avon’s Skin so Soft), this wonderful spray seems to drive away most bugs! There are stronger sprays out there, but this is only for a little while that it is needed, and it is a must for hikers and campers to aide in feeling refreshed out on the trail as well as taking care of some unpleasant rashes from chafing clothes and shoes.
If there is a suggestion you may have to help fellow outdoor persons, please let us know in the comments! As for now, that’s all I have until the next update to this blog!
