Ticks

TICKS IN NEW JERSEY

In New Jersey we have four hard bodied ticks.
For proper ID they should be seen under a microscope. 

October is an active time for adult ticks and it is important that we stay diligent with their detection. Even an Indian Summer can cause these tiny creatures to become active when we often let our guard down. 

In New Jersey we have four hard body ticks; The American Dog tick, the Brown Dog tick, the Lone Star tick and Deer ticks. It is the Deer tick, also known as the 'Black legged tick' that causes humans in our area the most concern due to the transmission of 'LYME DISEASE'. 

Knowing which tick you have will help your doctor decide on a course of treatment.
Call you local Cooperative Extension Service for information.

Throughout the country ticks transmit different diseases including 'Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever', so always be aware of the ticks in your area and the problems they can cause.

If you find a tick outside of NJ the same suggestion applies.
Have your tick identified and inform your doctor. 

Early tick detection is the surest way to avoid problems. This simply means taking a visual exam of yourself  and your children every day. Deer ticks need 24-36 hours to transmit the Lyme Disease bacteria. An adult Deer tick is about the size of a sesame seed. Now with more and more deer roaming though our area we need to increase our guard.

When in tick habitat wear long pants and tuck them in your socks

Since ticks cannot fly or jump they have developed an ingenious way to get on their host.  Tick crawl up a blade of grass and wait for a host animal or human to brush by and give them a ride. This is know as 'questing'. The best place for this to happen is in parks where the field meets the tree lines. Avoid this area whenever possible, especially while wearing short pants. 

In this incredible photograph a tick is 'QUESTING' ready to take a ride on a
passing animal or human.   

If you do find a tick correct removal is very important. Remove the tick carefully with tweezers and put it into a container with a moist cotton ball (an old prescription bottle works best). A good tick specimen is essential if your doctor decides to have it tested. Do not put rubbing alcohol on the tick as it will kill the bacteria and that tick will no longer be viable for  testing.

When removing a tick don't use Vaseline and be sure to carefully remove the entire tick, especially
the head and mouth.
NEVER TRY TO BURN OFF A TICK AS IT WILL INJECT ITS SALIVA\ WHICH WE WANT TO AVOID.

Your local Cooperative Extensive service will either identify your tick or tell where to take it. Here in New Jersey call your local county 'Rutgers Cooperative Extension Garden Helpline' 

Rutgers suggest you always call your doctor when you are bitten by any tick. They will know the best course of action to be taken.

Keep Safe, James

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BLUEJAYS IN YOUR GARDEN

             BLUEJAYS IN YOUR GARDEN               

Winter bird feeding - Peanuts  

Bluejays are native North American forest dwellers, common in our area. They are a familiar and noisy presence around many North American bird feeders.  

If you want to bedazzle friends and family, little is easier then feeding and attracting Bluejays to your garden, seemingly on command.

Once Bluejays have become accustomed to your feedings, they will become a
frequent visitor to  your garden.

Attracting Bluejays is as easy as putting out a cup of *unsalted peanuts every day with some gray striped sunflower seeds. These beautiful creatures will quickly become a dependable and frequent visitors to your garden. If you put peanuts out close to the same time every day you can count on these highly adaptable and intelligent birds to show up within minutes of their regular feeding time. It is truly amazing.  

Why some Bluejays do not migrate is still a mystery, but those that stay add dramatic
color to the winter garden.

If you want to put  out more later in the afternoon there always seems to a 'watch bird' ready to give a call to the rest of the flock.

These beautiful blue crested birds with black and gray wings are easily recognizable . Their bird call is a loud "Jay! Jay!" sound. This is only one of a wide variety  sounds the bird employs—including excellent imitations of several hawk calls. When Bluejays are in your area you will definitely hear them.

Bluejays are known to call for home owners to come out and feed them.

Bluejays are sometimes known to eat eggs or nestling's of other birds making many people hate them.  It is this practice that has tarnished their reputation, but in fact, they are largely vegetarian birds. Most of their diet is composed of acorns, nuts, and seeds.

Most northern Bluejays head south for the winter and join large flocks of up to 250 birds although some do not migrate. The birds that stay add dramatic color and excitement to the winter landscape. Bluejay migration is still considered a mystery to scientist.

Bluejays stay in familty groups throughout their lifetimes.

Bluejays have a special throat pouch that can hold extra seeds and acorns which they bury until later. 

This is why the Bluejays are credited with replanting our woodland forest after the last ice age.

*Don't put out too many peanuts at one time. You will only be feeding the squirrels.

Enjoy your garden all year,                                                                             

James