One more #Tick post, then I'll be moving onto other topics...

#TickIdentification: #NorthAmerica

"Tick Identification is extremely important for a number of reasons; the most important of which, is figuring out what pathogens a tick may carry (and transmit). While it’s typically much easier to identify an adult tick, immature ticks can also transmit diseases.

Of the 800+ species of ticks found throughout the world, only a few are known to bite and transmit disease to humans. There are nine are found in the United States. Naturally occurring populations of the ticks described on this website do not occur in Alaska, however, the brown dog tick is endemic to Hawaii."

Learn more (includes graphics):
https://ticksafety.com/tick-identification/

#SolarPunkSunday #TickSafety #TickIdentification #SpendTimeInNature #BeSafeOutdoors

#TickIdentification in #WashingtonState

Hard Ticks (Ixodidae)

#WesternBlackLeggedTick (Ixodes pacificus)

Western black-legged ticks can transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. It can also transmit the pathogen that causes anaplasmosis. These ticks are mainly found in Western Washington as well as along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. They live in forested, oak savannah, or brushy areas. See CDC's map of where Ixodes pacificus has been found.

#WesternDogTick

Western dog ticks live primarily in eastern and parts of southwest Washington. They prefer woodland areas, medium height grasses and shrubs between wetlands and woods, and sunny or open areas around woods. Adult western dog ticks are common pests of dogs while larvae and nymphs prefer feeding on small mammals like rodents and rabbits.

#RockyMountainWoodTick (Dermacentor andersoni)

The Rocky Mountain wood tick’s life cycle may require up to two to three years for completion. Adult wood ticks feed primarily on large mammals while the larvae and nymphs feed on small rodents and rabbits. These ticks are found primarily on the eastern side of the state. They prefer woodland areas, medium height grasses and shrubs between wetlands and woods, and sunny or open areas along the edge of woods. Rocky Mountain wood ticks and western dog ticks look very similar to each other.


#SoftTicks (Argasidae)

Ornithodoros hermsi is the vector for tick-borne relapsing fever. Tick-borne relapsing fever is usually linked to sleeping in rustic, rodent-infested cabins in mountainous areas. Because soft ticks usually feed at night and remain attached for a very short time, most people never realize a tick bit them."

Learn more (includes photographs and resources):
https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/pests/ticks/tick-photo-gallery

#SolarPunkSunday #TickSafety #WesternUS #TickIdentification #SpendTimeInNature #BeSafeOutdoors

#Ticks of #Maine

"There are fifteen different tick species that have been found in Maine, though not all are permanent residents. Some may arrive in the state on wildlife hosts and do not establish viable populations. Other species have thrived in Maine and are now widespread throughout much of the state. The biology and ecology of ticks can vary significantly based upon species and can determine the level of threat each species poses.

The Most Commonly Encountered Tick Species of Maine:

- Blacklegged Tick or #DeerTick (Ixodes scapularis)
- American #DogTick (Dermacentor variabilis)
- #WoodchuckTick (Ixodes cookei)

Other Tick Species Found in Maine:

- Brown Dog Tick or Kennel Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
- Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
- Ixodes angustus
- Ixodes brunneus
- Ixodes dentatus
- Ixodes gregsoni
- #LoneStarTick (Amblyomma americanum)
- Mouse Tick (Ixodes muris)
- Rabbit Tick (Haemaphysalis leporispalustris)
- Seabird Tick (Ixodes uriae)
- Squirrel Tick (Ixodes marxi)
- Winter Tick or Moose Tick (Dermacentor albipictus) "

Learn more about each species:
https://extension.umaine.edu/ticks/maine-ticks/

#SolarPunkSunday #TickIdentification #SpendTimeInNature
#BeSafeOutdoors #Ticksafety #MaineTicks #TicksInMaine

#Tick tips from #TheFarmersAlmanac

7 Natural Tick Remedies That Work

Tick season is upon us. Try these natural and effective remedies and strategies to repel these nasty parasites without harmful chemicals.

by Deborah Tukua and Natalie LaVolpe Updated: July 18, 2025

"#DeerTicks and #DogTicks are growing in numbers and concern. Not only are they a nuisance, they carry many dangerous illnesses including Lyme disease. According to the CDC there are over 300,000 estimated new cases of #LymeDisease in the United States each year. Learn more facts and see our suggestions for effective natural #TickRepellents ."

Learn more:
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/7-natural-tick-remedies-work

#SolarPunkSunday #TickSpray
#TickRepellent #EssentialOils #NoDeet #SpendTimeInNature #BeSafeOutdoors #TickSafety

Some really good ideas here... Replacing #TallGrasses with #Sedges, getting rid of #Periwinkle (though maybe not all of it, since it is an early flowering plant), replacing #Pachysandra with #SweetWoodruff, etc., etc.

17 #TickAttracting Plants You Should Avoid In Your Yard (And What To Grow Instead)

By Hattie Grigsby
July 15, 2025

"A stunning yard shouldn’t double as a tick playground—but surprisingly, some popular landscape plants invite them in. Dense groundcovers like pachysandra or #ivy create cool, shaded spots where ticks love to hide, making your outdoor space riskier than it looks.

"Swapping those out for smarter choices can make a big difference. Consider tick-resistant alternatives like #lavender, #rosemary, or ornamental grasses—plants that still offer beauty without creating cozy tick hangouts. Plus, many of these double as #PollinatorFriendly and #DroughtTolerant options."

https://positivebloom.com/tick-attracting-plants-you-should-avoid-in-your-yard-and-what-to-grow-instead/

#SolarPunkSunday #TickRepellents #SpendTimeInNature #BeSafeOutdoors #TickSafety #Gardening

So, we have #Catnip, #LemonBalm and #Thyme growing in our backyard -- and they seem to help keep the #ticks down. And the bees love them -- especially the catnip!

17 Tick-Proof Plants That Create Safe Zones Around Your Home

By Ashley Gilbert
Posted on Last updated: June 1, 2025

"Some plants naturally repel ticks thanks to their scent or texture, creating little buffer zones between your home and the areas ticks like to hang out. It’s a low-effort, long-term way to make your yard safer for kids, pets, and anyone who’d rather not deal with a bite. These 17 plants don’t just look good—they’re working quietly in the background to help keep ticks at bay."

Read more:
https://plantisima.com/tick-proof-plants-that-create-safe-zones-around-your-home/

#SolarPunkSunday #TickRepellents #SpendTimeInNature #BeSafeOutdoors #Ticksafety

So, I usually don't promote certain brands, but I've found that #NantucketSpider's products work (even their #TickRepellent) -- and they make a dog-friendly #BugSpray (but keep any of their products away from cats). If one is ambitious, they can make their DIY their own bug sprays (I'll be posting some recipes for those.)

Nantucket Spider
Original Bug Repellent For People

"Our 8 oz insect repellent spray bottle size is big enough to spray the whole family and is topped with our signature fine-mist trigger sprayer for superior coverage.

Ingredients: Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil, Clove Oil, Geranium Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Peppermint Oil Rosemary Oil, Spearmint Oil, Distilled Water, Vegetable Glycerin


Essential Oil Bug Spray for People

The Official Bug Spray of Summer

Our Original Bug Repellent for People is made from a blend of organic essential oils and is highly effective at repelling mosquitos (99% effective in independent tests) and biting flies.

Note: Not for use on cats or dogs. For Dogs, try our Bug Repellent Spray for Dogs instead. None of our repellents should be used on cats."

How to Use

Spray directly onto skin, hair, clothing, and gear as needed. Reapply more frequently in humid or heavily bug-infested conditions. For added tick deterrence, spray from the waist down with special attention to socks and shoes.

Always patch test before first use.


Which Repellent Should I Buy?

Nantucket Spider Original Repellent (Orange Label): This is our best seller. It has a unique blend of essential oils of cedar wood, citronella, clove, geranium, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, and spearmint. While our 8 ounce bottles have our signature trigger sprayer, our 4 and 2 ounce sizes (with pump sprayers) are convenient for travel and to carry in a handbag or a backpack. Comes in four sizes (2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

Nantucket Spider Summer Camp Repellent (Blue Label): It is much like the original formula, and is equally effective, but is citronella-free. We made it for kids (and others) who may have an aversion to citronella. Comes in three sizes (2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz).

Nantucket Spider Extra Strength Tick Repellent (Green Label): If you specifically want to repel ticks, this is a perfect repellent. It can be used alone or in addition to other repellents. While no repellent repels all ticks, in independent lab tests, ours repelled 92% of deer ticks. Comes in four sizes (2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

Nantucket Spider Bug Repellent for Dogs (Red Label): This repellent is specially formulated without ‘citrusy’ oils that dogs dislike and clove oil, which they shouldn’t ingest. Instead, it contains thyme oil to repel fleas and other oils such as geranium, rosemary, cedar, peppermint and spearmint - all effective repellents. And while it is formulated for dogs, it is often used on their owners as well! Comes in two sizes (8 oz, 16 oz)."

https://nantucketspider.com/products/nantucket-spider-original-natural-repellent

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalBugRepellent #NoDeet #TickSpray #Ticks #TickSafety #Mosquitoes #SpendTimeInNature