Topic: squirrels, logs, gathering wood--things to watch out for!
trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
Yesterday at the LDAC (lyme disease advisory committee) in Sacramento I learned a few new things and got to meet lots of very dedicated and nice people.
Some of this info is not new, but may be new to YOU.
Robert Lane an entomologist from UC Berkeley has been researching this vector born disease for many years. It was his research that showed that sitting on LOGS increased your chances of getting bit by a Lyme disease carrying tick.
Hence --- AVOID SITTING ON LOGS.
this is published somewhere...I do not know where.
Some other things he mentioned yesterday were that gathering wood was another way to pick up ticks that people do not think about. The action of bending over and picking up things in brushy areas..kindling...and then bringing these things close to your body increases your risk significantly.
AVOID GATHERING WOOD AND KINDLING
I am thinking maybe use those prefab sticks? And do not bring any wood that is not going RIGHT on the fire inside. Also use gloves to handle you wood and inspect your hands RIGHT away.
He also is working on research, particularly in Butte county that shows that the squirrel population is the driving force of increased incidence of Lyme there. The squirrels are the resevoir more than the deer in his opinion at this point. He is continuing to conduct research in this area.
He also advises checking your bedding. Ticks often drop off after feeding and you can find them in your bed. (I found one this way too)
If anyone else wants to add to wants me to edit this please let me know. I wanted to get some info out while it was still fresh in my mind.
Dont feed the squirrels! Trails
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
>And do not bring any wood that is not going RIGHT on the fire inside.<
So very true! Good info.
However - I will never stop feeding my little squirrel buddies! Watching their antics from my window has brought me laughter on my 'achiest' of days...I owe the little buggers!!
Sandy
Posts: 99 | From central NJ | Registered: Jan 2003
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
In the parts of the country where the white footed mouse is common, people need to know that these mice often nest in trees.
When the mice gather under oak trees to gather and eat the acorns, they may drop ticks that later attach to the deer who also love to eat acorns. Or, they gain the ticks that have already dropped off the deer.
So, lean against a tree.... Sit on a log.... Sit on a stone wall, which is a good nesting place for mice....
Even walking under trees might be a problem, if a tick drops off a branch. The mice can nest in trees, so the ticks are in the trees. And birds with ticks nest in the trees, too.
This is just ridiculous, isn't it.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Thanks trails! I get the heebie jeebies when I think about sitting on logs around a campfire.
'Round here we call squirrels tree rats and I don't like 'em one little bit!
-------------------- Posts: 703 | From Almost Heaven | Registered: Aug 2004
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
Hi Trails~
Yes, I've heard about the "not sitting on logs" or "don't lean against trees"...and I've thought about all the times I did those things.
I think I got my tick bite from petting deer at a deer farm, so I will add to the list "DON'T pet the deer!!"
I swear I'd love to get the health dept out to the deer farm and have them check the deer for ticks! Someday I hope to do that!
I think I'll be taking down my bird feeders and bird baths come spring. I love the birds, but I sure as heck don't want any more infectious diseases coming around my home!
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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