tick-a-phobic

One good thing about this time of year...the ticks are finally gone! Deer and wood ticks are very prevalent in western Wisconsin. If you spend any amount of time outside, chances are you've had them. Gardening as I do, I've had lots of ticks. Even a windy day can be problematic at my house. I envy blondes for the simple reason that ticks must be so much easier to find in light-colored hair -- it's not at all about the fun!

I can usually deal with ticks, but what really threw me into a tailspin last June was when, quite by chance, I found a minuscule deer tick embedded inside of my ear canal. Ick! I could just imagine it burrowing into my brain if I hadn't found it. The trick was successful removal without it falling even further into my ear to who knows where. Anyway, it's gone, and I lived to tell the tale.

I know I could use DEET way more often than I do, but I'm not super fond of spraying chemicals on myself. Usually, I spray it on my clothes only. Over the summer I tested out some of the DEET-free products, essential oils, and lemon eucalyptus organics. The jury is still out, but I will do further testing next year.

So if you ever see someone outside gardening, all wrapped up like a mummy, it just might be me. Take that, ticks!

Mummy clipart from Creative Commons focaclipart.wordpress.com