It is that time of year again when we are getting in the
holiday spirit. We are thinking about going out and buying a Christmas tree - or
cutting one down on our own.
Before doing so however, keep in mind that a holiday surprise may be
waiting for you in the branches of the tree: that seemingly inescapable deer
tick. Adult deer ticks are looking
this time of year for a host to feed on, and that host could be you, a family
member, or your pet.
Fortunately, deer ticks will not live very long on your tree
inside your home. They require
high humidity to survive, and your home just does not present that humid an
environment. So if the tick does
not climb onto you within the first couple of days of the tree being in your
home, the odds are very good they will simply fall off the tree and die.
So, a few helpful hints are in
order:
- If you
insist on cutting your own tree down, take the necessary precautions to
prevent getting bitten by a tick when you are out in the woods and
bringing your tree home. Wear
clothing treated with tick repellent and treat your exposed skin with
repellent as well. And just
as importantly, carefully check yourself and family members for ticks at
the end of the day.
- Consider
buying a tree from a seller where you know the trees have been away from
the tree farm for some days or weeks. This will give the tree an opportunity to shed itself
of ticks.
- Keep
your tree outside for a few days before bringing it into your home. Keep it stored on a hard surface
such as a porch or driveway, and not your lawn or garden areas where deer
ticks are likely to be present.
- Spray
your Christmas tree skirt with permethrin, a tick repellent you can
purchase from sporting good stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or
Cabelas. Any live ticks, which
may come off the tree and land on the skirt, will be killed by the
insecticide.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can enjoy your
holiday season without having to worry about unwanted ticks on your Christmas
tree.