Pic Today 4/1/12

TICKS . . .

NATURE'S LITTLE VAMPIRES

. . . one of the prices we pay

for a mild winter & warm Spring.

Global warming brings us warmer winters,

early Springs and flowers a month early.

With the beauty comes the beasts!

We need blistery cold winters

to control and limit insect pests,

especially mosquitoes and ticks.

(Ugh.)

On all my hikes this Spring,

I am covered with ticks.

(I hate ticks.)

They drop from trees, climb on your clothes,

and eventually "latch on" to suck blood.

They also transmit lyme disease!

When you come inside, best to check for ticks.

Especially on your pets and children.

And if they do "latch on", grab some tweezers,

squeeze around their head, and pull straight up.

(Helpful diagram above.)