Ticked Off (Tick Bite Prevention)

In our efforts to go more natural and avoid many chemicals in our lives, we have been checking out natural remedies for common issues.  When we got our puppies, I turned to Google for natural flea and tick prevention.  The best solution I found for tick prevention was Rose Geranium Oil.  Our dog, Maggie, was plagued by two to three ticks per day before we began applying oil on her daily at her collar and the base of her tail.   It worked well (no ticks found on her attached or otherwise), BUT I had to remember to apply it every day, and the smell could be a bit strong.

Since finding that solution, a new, oral tick preventative for dogs came on the market - NexGuard.  We switched to it. NexGuard also works well, but it does cost more and I do still find UNattached ticks on Maggie - Maggie seems to attract ticks more than Max.  The main reasons we switched to the prescription tick preventative is because it is oral instead of topical (the kids can pet the dogs without coming into contact with pesticides), and we don't have to remember to apply it everyday.

While NexGuard is great for our dogs (and us), we continue to use the Rose Geranium Oil for ourselves.  Before we take long family walks, I mist our boots and pants with oil diluted with water (shaking well before each application).  It smells good, we don't have to worry about ticks, and we avoid concerning chemicals on our young children.

If you are looking for an inexpensive and natural tick preventative, check out Rose Geranium Oil.

This is the kind we bought from Amazon.com:



Please note: I am not a veterinarian or trained medical professional.  All information presented on this blog represents our family's experiences only and cannot be guaranteed to work for others.  Even natural products can cause negative reactions in people in animals. Use all new products with caution, consulting with your doctor or veterinarian as needed.  I have heard essential oils can cause negative reactions in cats.

Cut It Out (Trail Maintenance)

This weekend we were graced with a Polar Vortex.... Let that sink in - 

A.Polar.Vortex..IN.July.In.LOUISIANA.  

Can I tell you? It felt good. Really, really, really good.

So what to do with all of that beautiful, cool weather? Tackle outdoor projects of course.

The best project was clearing up the main trail from our house to the Old Pond.  It is the trail that we travel the most and the one that you can travel with a car/truck.  Recently, the trail has been becoming a little tight in spots with all of that lush, summer growth and some storms knocking a few small trees and dead limbs askew.

With our project in mind, we loaded the kids up in the hubby's truck, rolled down the windows, turned on the tunes, and loaded the truck bed with tools for trimming. I hopped in the back of the truck, and we began our adventure.  Hubby drove forward slowly, stopping as needed for me to trim larger branches with the pole chainsaw.  Occasionally, he'd stop and we'd tackle a particularly big situation together.  But, my favorite was when he was driving very, very, very slowly (and super carefully (my mom reads this blog)) and I would clip small branches with the hedge trimmers.  The cool breeze in my face, good music, and getting things done with the family - what more could you ask for?

Now we have a more drive-able trail and a good family memory.

If you have any trimming to do and don't want to be tethered to a cord or deal with gas, check out the Ryobi Cordless Pole Saw.  It works on a lithium battery, and it is part of Ryobi's One+ series, which features interchangeable batteries for a variety of products - reciprocal saws, flashlights, weed trimmers, etc.  If we would have had this pole saw in Dallas, it would have saved us hundreds of dollars in annual tree trimming costs. On the farm, it is perfect to take on trail trimming adventures - no cord, no gas, and we have a stash of batteries from our various Ryobi One+ products.  It is lightweight and easy to manage, even for a petite mom of three who had no previous chainsaw experience.  At the price of $150, it really pays for itself if you have some trimming to do in your suburban yard or larger property.  See the link to the pole saw below.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-9-5-ft-18-Volt-Lithium-ion-Cordless-Pole-Saw-P4361/203444119

This is the combo starter kit hubby received for Christmas one year: