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Making It Grow! News Articles

April 17, 2005

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Warmer weather increases gardening activity for all of us. it also increases insect activity. many of these insects which we will see can cause problems not only for plants, but also animals and humans. One such insect is the tick, and south carolina has plenty of them.

We commonly think of ticks as being parasitic on dogs, cats, and other animals. on some occasions gardeners, hunters, and others involved in outside activity would find a tick on them. Little attention was given in the past. all of this has changed now that medicine has recognized the seriousness of Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick. there lots of different types of ticks in south carolina, but only the deer tick can transmit Lyme disease. if a tick is found, it is important that several steps be followed.

The most important thing is to gently remove the tick trying not to disturb its mouth parts. this is fairly easily accomplished if the tick has been attached for a short period of time. In most situations this is the case.

The next step is to take the tick to your local clemson extension office. They will have to send the insect to the Plant Problem Clinic at clemson for proper identification. there will be a ten dollar charge for this service. You will get an email (if you are online) or a hard copy as soon as identification has been made.

If the report comes back as a deer tick, you should contact your physician as soon as possible. don't wait several months, and don't get excited because this does not mean you will automatically get Lyme disease. In fact, if the insect has been removed in its early stages, the chances are slim that you will encounter any problems.

Ticks are now literally coming out of brick work from around the house. It is a good time to think about control if you see them. this is especially true if you have pets.

For control around the home (outside) Rabon 50 WP does a good job on a large area. This is a poultry insecticide, so it will not be available at many home and garden centers. You will need to check with farm supply center, such as Tractor Supply or Southern States. Rabon 50 WP is a wettable powder and must be mixed with water.

Sevin 5 percent dust or carbaryl is also effective on ticks. it can be dusted around the home and placed on animals. however, it is not as effective on fleas. Whatever you use, be sure to follow all directions on the insecticide label.

I had the opportunity to participate in a statewide video conference on Lyme disease several years ago at the Medical University of S.C. in Charleston. After this conference two of my friends were diagnosed with Lyme disease. If your personal physician has not had any experience with this disease, the MUSC has some useful information.

Many of our ticks hibernate in bricks and other structures around the home. They are coming out now looking for animals and other victims for their source of food. a recommended insecticide program will help keep their numbers in check.