hey y'all, I know this is a bit early, but I'm due to leave on vacation for awhile, and when I get back, it will be almost into the swing of things for Thanksgiving. . . so thought I'd throw this topic out there again, while I'm thinking about it.
I had saved the thread that this was talked about on, but I'm not sure if I could cut/paste the link so it would show up here, especially since this is a new style forum, so I'll just mention that in 2003, and in 2001, this issue was talked about, and a lot of folks either didn't think, or realize that ticks could travel into the house onthe xmas trees, and several people, after they heard this, were switching to artificial trees.
I myself switched to a fake tree 4 xmas's ago, and haven't been happier since.
It was an extreme object of contention between my skeptic husband that first xmas, but the next year wasn't so bad, last year was barely a grumble, and this year I doubt either my husband or either son will say nary a word about it.
Last year, I think Mo or Marnie wrote about their extensive herbal and garlic treatment of a tree they cut on their property to bring into their house, and what precautions they took before they brought the tree in, but that's the last anyone has spoken about this topic.
Maybe it's time again for more anecdotes? More confirmations?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I remember those discussions. Due to allergies, we haven't used a real tree for years. The fake ones are pretty awesome anyway. Thanks for bringing this up for those who may not be aware of the dangers.
Posted by lymeloco (Member # 7192) on :
I also remember that discussion. Also be careful of bringing in your firewood if you have a fireplace or stove... they're on their also!
The little buggers are everywhere!
Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :
A great time to bring this up. Thanks
Posted by quic (Member # 5262) on :
For what its worth:
December 13, 2003 - Cut Christmas tree
December 20, 2003 - Decorate Christmas tree
December 28, 2003 - Indoor cat scratching like she has fleas!
January 5, 2004 - Wife paralyzed from the neck down and in the ICU.
January 25, 2004 - Kids and I take down tree.
January 30, 2004 - Wife finally comes home from rehab.
February 16, 2004 - I wake up @ 2 a.m. with full blown lyme - bullseye on arm.
February 20, 2004 - daughter sick - bullseye on her leg.
March 1, 2004 - son sick - bullseye on his abdomen.
April 2004 - wife finally gets bullseye.
May 2004 - finally get everybody on antibiotics. Went through the usual lyme diagnosis hell.
December 2004 - Cut Christmas tree. We figured you can't just stop living because of this. We watched very carefully. No ticks. I sprayed it with incectacide before bringing it in.
October 2005 - son off antibiotics, the rest of us still on treatment.
December 2005 -
Not sure about this one yet. Sometimes it just doesn't seem worth it just to have a live tree.
- Mike
Posted by Kenny from PA (Member # 8007) on :
Hi Julie, Just curious, I know ticks live through the winter (in the colder regions) but aren't they dormant during that time? And then would this mainly be an issue for the warm weather states? Just curious. But I agree, this issue deserves consideration. Kenny
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kenny from PA: Hi Julie, Just curious, I know ticks live through the winter (in the colder regions) but aren't they dormant during that time? And then would this mainly be an issue for the warm weather states? Just curious. But I agree, this issue deserves consideration. Kenny
I work for forestry and the ticks slow down in the winter but not dormant only ones dormant are the ones that fed. I have had ticks on me just about everyday in the winter. Less of them but still moving.
Posted by Monica (Member # 224) on :
I barely have the energy or strength to put up a fake tree.
As for me, I am staying as far away from "nature" as possible.
Posted by Just Julie (Member # 1119) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kenny from PA: Hi Julie, Just curious, I know ticks live through the winter (in the colder regions) but aren't they dormant during that time? And then would this mainly be an issue for the warm weather states? Just curious. But I agree, this issue deserves consideration. Kenny
I think what Treepatrol said is true-and I know our side of the country usually gets trees from Oregon/Washington area, where it's not that cold of winter most times (could be wrong?) but once the trees hit our area in Northern CA, there is usually no hard frosts, no snow, so if the ticks were "dormant" they sure would come to life once they hit balmy California!
Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :
Thinking......we haven't haven't had a real tree in years...Thank the Good Lord.
Trout;)
Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :
Darn.......I'd still love to have a live Xmas tree. What's best to spray them with?????
Posted by meg (Member # 22) on :
Firewood was mentioned, but how about bark dust...don't think a little package with holes in it would stop them ticks.
[ 19. October 2005, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: meg ]