Living in the Upper Valley means loving the outdoors, but lately, avoiding ticks and mosquitoes has seemed like a full-time job for some of us. Checking each other for ticks after a long hike, re-applying bug spray, permethrin treated clothing, pant legs stuffed into your socks; the list goes on. We're thrilled to share a couple of solutions we've found!
For hikes, we recommend a great deterrent that many people now swear by, permethrin treated gaiters from Redstart Birding which can be purchased here. You can also buy them locally through West Lebanon Feed & Supply. Easy to put on, they can be worn with almost anything and they work!
But even more exciting, we have a fabulous recommendation for those of you who want to eliminate ticks and mosquitoes in your own back yard without exposing yourself or the wildlife to toxic chemicals. The name is 'Pure Solutions'. You may have seen their signs around the Upper Valley.
The locally owned company will send one of their staff to your property periodically to spray a patented combination of essential oils onto your lawn and around your house. The organic oils cut back these pests to practically zero. We have used them personally on several properties and seen a huge difference! Many of our clients now use them too. We've really been impressed with their customer service and responsiveness.
They can also make recommendations for steps you can take to further discourage ticks and mosquitoes on your property. The professional and friendly staff is always ready to help and listen to any concern or question you might have. They send an email to alert you to a scheduled spray AND there's no waiting time before you can walk out on it!
.JPG)
You may have heard that ticks seem quiet down in the summer mostly due to other life cycles and dry hot days discouraging the ticks from being in most places where we hang out. But, there is still nymphal activity so it's no time to let your guard down. Most importantly, spraying for ticks now will target any larva activity being brought around by rodents (after hatching from eggs in the spring) and this will continue to occur throughout the summer. The rodents are the reservoir host of diseases such as Lyme and others.
Now through late fall is very important as ticks kick into gear as temps drop right through snow and cold until it reaches sub-freezing temps. It is essential to target this life cycle to reduce the amount of ticks in the spring by killing the ticks before they can reproduce to lay thousands of eggs in the spring. If you want to learn more, this PDF an extremely helpful diagram summary outlining tick activity.
There is nothing greater than having a 'safe zone' around your home, particularly for pets and children because who can control when they are in and out the door so often? And who wants to have to do that?
Going on a hike? Take the time and extra effort to protect yourself, your kids, and your animal companions from the serious diseases carried by ticks and mosquitoes (or just the painful bites!)
Staying at home in your own backyard? Give Pure Solutions a call, get on a spraying schedule and then relax and enjoy the beautiful outdoors just outside your door.
Kyle LaCroix, owner of Pure Solutions with one of their biggest fans!
If you're looking to relocate to the Upper Valley, start your home search here or reach out to an agent at LindeMac Real Estate. We're happy to answer any questions you may have.