Deer ticks again!

[Sharon & Monty]

So here we are mid February in Central Pa.  We have really not had winter yet. I love that the temps go into the 40's day after day.  The days are getting a bit longer and gives me a chance to go outside after work and throw balls for Monty.  Well lo and behold if I didnt just pull a deer tick off him.....IN FEBRUARY!  As much as I've enjoyed this pleasant winter, there are good reasons why we need barren cold.  :(  With my last dog I never gave her tick medications in the winter, used to skip a few months, boy am I glad I keep up the regiment with Monty.  I've often thought about having chickens for the pure eggs and all, but it just seems like so much work.  I'm rethinking that idea as I know they would eat ticks.  Grrr.  Anyway, watch your dogs if you are in a non winter state like I am.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I pulled a fat one embedded in Calla yesterday too. I don't know for sure it was a deer tick but WTD? And the doodles had Frontline on Feb 1. In Jan, Luca had an embedded tick. Little @##$%#. Wouldn't Monty go after the chickens?

[Sharon & Monty]

I dont think he would want to get the chickens, he thinks everyone/everything is his friend.  

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud got a Wood Tick during the winter, but it was do to fire logs stacked in the yard.  Still, I had just said the same thing to DH a few days ago.  Freezing temps serve a good purpose.   This winter--well we should treat it just like early Spring and be on guard

[Sharon & Monty]

my biologist friend is freaked out about our temperate winter this year.  I should ask him why. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

For one, it is a natural barrier to bacteria.  Low temps prohibit growth.   Think of low, freezing temps like you would putting food into your freezer to preserve.   In a nut shell, freezing can kill a lot of bad things in our environment allowing us to start fresh in the Spring.

[Sharon & Monty]

well i knew if he was freaked out, so am I.  And now I remember ticks and nasty things like that.  ugh. The freakin deer ticks in this area are insane.  I dont do pesticides and it wouldn't matter where I live in the moutain!  I hate deer ticks, they are so tiny, thank goodness Monty is white or I would never see them!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

...due to fire logs.  just correcting above

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is too funny!  I talked with my DD last night and she's getting chickens for the same reason....I never heard of this.  She is already pulling ticks off of her dogs, even with the Frontline.  She has 10 acres of land and is planning to just let them be "free range".  She's convinced her Golden Retriever and Lab won't bother them....WTD? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

WTD indeed.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

ooh, this sounds like a good upcoming video blog!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have feral cats that I feed outdoors and they have had ticks all along this winter--we are in upstate NY and it has been so mild that I am suffering with an extended mud season! BUT, I need to add that I am in the most Lyme disease prevalent county in the nation and every time we have had a dog get Lyme disease, it has happened in February. I always keep them on a flea/tick med all year round, but switched to Advantix since I was getting fleas and ticks on my dogs with Frontline Plus.

Wish there was something that worked better for us humans--everyone around here gets Lyme disease numerous times and some people have long lasting effects from it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I wish we had a vaccine, there was one but it was pulled from the market long ago. Then again, I always think if we meet a rabid animal the dogs might be OK but I wouldn't.