Hi Barb,
Sounds awful. I feel for you and your family. I did some searching on the internet and found this site from Ohio State University. They give recommendations for several pesticides, but I don't use those types of chemicals. Still, you may find the information useful.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2073.html

Planet Natural has several environmentally friendly alternatives. I think some pruning along with clearing away undergrowth and something like the diatomaceous earth could be a good tactic. There is also "Rotenone & Pyrethrin Concentrate" listed at the bottom of the page that you might want to consider. Of course these things can often be purchased locally as well.

http://www.planetnatural.com/tick_control.html

Hope this helps you to more enjoy your outdoor space this year.

Newt

* * * *
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

barb, was thinking about what you said about the tick problem. i know that you don't want to hear about planting another tree, but... was researching one of the tree/shrubs that grows around here, and appearantly it repels fleas and ticks. i do know that my dogs (and kids) haven't had any ticks this past year except one. the name of the tree/shrub is wax myrtle. i'd look into it, can't hurt and it is a smallish tree/largish shrub.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Phil and Laura:
Hi Barb, I know that in Arkansas they have a terrible tick problem, the folks down there use cedar bark shavings for walkways, pet beds/doghouses etc. ticks are a problem here, but only in the woods, try to find something non-chemical first, no disrespect to the folks that use chemicals

---

Thanks for the cedar bark shavings...maybe I can do a cedar mulch?

Our property looked MUCH like a forest...but we have removed all of the overgrown brush, so maybe we'll be ok. My neighbors did not seem to have nearly the tick infestation that we did. It was horrible.

I will try all natural methods first, since I do have little ones and want to do some veggies and maybe put in a berry bush.

Barb H

* * * *

This is from ARS
"A patented device developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists
to protect white-tailed deer from blacklegged ticks is now being sold
commercially.

The American Lyme Disease Foundation, Somers, N.Y., has been licensed
to produce the device, called the "4-Poster" Deer Treatment Bait
Station, developed by ARS scientists in Kerrville, Texas. ARS is the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.

The device was studied for five years, to see if it would control ticks
plaguing white-tailed deer in the Northeast. Blacklegged ticks, Ixodes
scapularis, and the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, transmit the
bacterial agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, that causes human Lyme disease.
Each year, more than 10,000 human cases of Lyme disease are reported in
the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.

The simple device consists of a bin that's filled with whole-kernel
corn. Paint rollers on the four corners of the bin are loaded with a
special formulation of permethrin that Y-Tex Corporation, in Cody, Wyo.,
registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for exclusive
application to deer by the "4-poster." As a deer feeds on the corn in
the bin, the animal's head and neck rub against the permethrin-laden
rollers, which gives sufficient coverage to protect the entire animal.

The 4-poster device offers a viable tick-control alternative to
spraying insecticides into the environment that might be toxic to
nontarget species. Studies by ARS and cooperators have shown that after
two to three years, use of the 4-poster technology will control from 92
to 98 percent of the free-living tick population around the devices.
Depending on the size of the herd, each device will treat deer on
approximately 40 to 50 acres.

Lyme disease occurs mainly in suburban areas where there's an
overabundance of deer. The test sites for the device were in areas where
some of the highest incidences of Lyme disease in the United States were
found when the project started in 1997. "

Also have you looked into beneficial nematodes? They are starting show results with tick control.

Chirps!!

Chrips!!

* * * *


The Buglady
Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, www.bugladyconsulting.com
Educating the world... one bug at a time

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jiffymouse:
barb, was thinking about what you said about the tick problem. i know that you don't want to hear about planting another tree, but... was researching one of the tree/shrubs that grows around here, and appearantly it repels fleas and ticks. i do know that my dogs (and kids) haven't had any ticks this past year except one. the name of the tree/shrub is wax myrtle. i'd look into it, can't hurt and it is a smallish tree/largish shrub.

---

Jiffy,

I'm gonna look up wax myrtle to see what it looks like. I'm pretty desperate, so if I can fit it in, I will!!! Thanks!!!!


* * * *

quote:

---

Originally posted by weezie13:
Barb,
What zone are you??

Wax Myrtle

Just curious!!!

Weezie

---

Hey, Weezie!

I'm in zone six!

* * * *

then again, she might could push the zone... depending on how far north she is into zone 6.

barb, did yo say you were in the pittsburgh area? my in-laws are in the gettysburg/harrisburg area. i can ask what they use to keep them down.

Another thing you can try Barb, EAT TONS OF GARLIC!!
This will keep them and mosquito's from biting you, also keeps away those annoying neighbors

Jiffy and Phil & Laura,

I'll plant garlic then! It will be a garlic fortress!!!!! Eureka! Or is it YOU REEK-A?!?!

* * * *

Alliums are alot of fun,
come in several different sizes and colors.

One thing to remember though, they will reseed prolifically if you let the flower head go to seed.
#1. Does give the garden some nice look after it's dead, but there will be a ba~zillion seeds,
.....A. That in the end will deplete the strength and size of the bulb.... you will get some more flowers in the coming years, but each time the flower will get smaller and smaller.
.....B. The little seedlings will look like grass, so you have to remember that you let the plant go to seed and that you shouldn't pull them up the following year if you want to save them as new plants. *one or two good fists full of what looks like grass will tell you, you made a mistake in pulling them, that's how I learned!!!

Weezie

P.S.
There's short ones that are pink and white and
Tall ones that are deep purples, so much fun.
I love them and very very carefree, no work other than the inital planting of them.

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

You-REEK-A Thats funny Barb..ROFL

I want to say that I also had tick problems here in Georgia. I have already seen and pulled some off me this year. I've read everyone ideas. I think I will try some of the plants.