We are about to build a house on a golf course nearby. My hubby plays there a lot, and lately every time he goes, someone or him ends up with a deer tick on them. It mostly happens if they walk out in the tall grass. They always check and get it off before it attaches.
I think it is a beautiful place to live, but I'm not liking the idea that there are so many ticks. Is there anything to spray in your yard that will kill them or deter them?
I guess there is no way to escape them. I'm sure we have them in our yard now. We have lots of wooded areas where we live now.
I really hate ticks!
SG
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yuck on the ticks! Just stay out of the tall grasses and you should be OK. (I hope)
I don't do grass (at all).
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I think there is a yard insecticide.
The folks at my support group were talking about it. I will try to track down the name for you.
Posted by healthywealthywise (Member # 8595) on :
I wouldn't want to live there. I also live in an endemic area where just walking out back can give you ticks......
I wish I could move.....now that I'm not working, they won't give me a new mortgage so I'm stuck in this hell.
I wish I could just lock the doors and walk away...but I have nowhere to go and no resources to get there.
Just me, but dh could NOT persuade me to live in the country ever again.
Rod Stewart: Oo La La Lyrics
"I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger.
I wish that I knew what I know now, When I was stronger."
Posted by healthywealthywise (Member # 8595) on :
Oh, and how do I sell my house- even if I could-- to another family with kids and pets?
How do I live w/that, even if a miracle could happen and I could run from here?
Even if we warned the prospective buyers first, it would prey on my conscience forever and I'd always wonder if they were ok.
Soul searching dilemma .......
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I asked about this not to long ago for my sister. She moved next door to an unkept wild wooded lot. Nightmare! They were covered in strange bug bites...
There is a professional strength permetherine (and it's derivatives) that can be sprayed on your yard and bushes. It was recommended to be done periodically to keep up with the ticks and mosquitos.
So I would call around where you live to see how much a yard application would cost.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Remember some of these sprays are neurotoxic. Golf courses often use very toxic chemicals, too.
There are some alternatives that won't put toxins into the air and water. I've seen some very good articles about that but just have not saved them as I own only the land that my houseplants reside in. -
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I will definitely not go into the deep grass and don't step much into any grass. If I go on the golf course I will be constantly looking for ticks.
My LLMD says ticks are in my backyard now. The county we live in seems to have the most ticks in the state. Oh I forgot Mississippi doesn't have Lyme Disease. Ha!
SG
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
if you aren't too close to neighbors - get a few guinea hens to eat ticks. They are noisy birds, but they don't scratch around like chickens do.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Good luck with your new home!
As for me, my next one if there is a next one, will be on cement. Maybe a tiny patch of grass and a few potted plants, but certainly no woods or brush or extensive landscaping for me next time around.
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
The guinea hens are a good idea as well as getting your yard sprayed monthly with a pyrethrin based spray. From my research, it looks like it is safe, if you have pets, after it has dried.
We have 3 acres but only about 1 acre is cleared and it costs us $50 per month for a professional company to come out and spray. They spray the perimeter and the shrubs around our foundation and the grass in between.
It has really made a difference - as our 2 cats (who are already treated with Frontline) hardly ever have a tick on them anymore. Years past, despite monthly applications of Frontline, we would find ticks on them. We check them every night and brush them and only found a few early in the season before the spraying had started. The stuff works!!
Also, on the clothes (sneakers, socks, hat, pants, shirt) that I wear when I am going to be out in the yard doing any work, I spray permethrin. It lasts for about 7 washings. You can buy it at Dick's Sporting Goods or Amazon.
Insect Shield sells clothing that will last through 70 washings. It can be pricey, but they do have sales. Good luck and best wishes in your new home!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i am in an endemic area but my sp**** lawn has sandy soil and i think that helps not seeing them. also i have patios and am in wc mostly...dont venture far. they dont like heat remember.
also since i put permethrin spray on dogs i think they spread it around the yard and it keeps them away.
we have companies here who spray regularly too
i used to say i wouldnt live in a moldy house...and here i am. when you get strapped financially you do the best you can.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
this is so wierd..above i was saying my spa r s e lawn and the puter thinks im swearing i guess
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Lpkayak that's funny that the computer thinks you are swearing.
Our yard is going to be pretty small and right on the golf course. I'm pretty sure they won't allow guinea hens. We also have a dog that wears frontline. I guess we will get our yard sprayed every month.
I like to play golf occasionally, but will not go out in the deep grass and will check myself. I hate feeling like I have to live in a bubble. I want to "live" life and not live in constant fear of ticks.
I am looking forward to a new house and living in such a peaceful location. Will just have to stay aware at all times of the possibility of ticks.
SG
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
front line and even front line plus doesnt work anymore...you need the one with permethrins
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
For the golf, spray with bug spray first and treat clothes with permethrin and avoid the long grass! for your yard, spray every three weeks. Also tick tubes.